Part of the Union

Infobox Single
Name = Part of the Union

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Cover size =
Caption =
Artist = Strawbs
from Album = Bursting at the Seams
A-side =
B-side = "Will you Go"
Released = Start date|1972|10|13
Format = 7"
Recorded =
Genre = progressive folk, progressive rock
Length =
Label = A&M
Writer = Richard Hudson, John Ford
Producer = Strawbs
Certification =
Chart position = * #2 (UK Singles Chart)
Last single = "Lay Down"
(1972)
This single = "Part of the Union"
(1973)
Next single = "Shine on Silver Sun"
(1973)
Misc = Extra tracklisting
Album = Bursting at the Seams
Type = studio
prev_track = "The River"
prev_no = 5
this_track = "Part of the Union"
track_no = 6
next_track = "Tears and Pavan"
next_no = 7

"Part of the Union" is a song by English band Strawbs featured on their 1973 album "Bursting at the Seams". It is written by Richard Hudson and John Ford and was the band's most successful single, peaking at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart.

The song was included on the album "Bursting at the Seams" but is not considered typical of the songs on that album. Indeed, the track was originally recorded without a contribution by Dave Cousins and was to be released under the name of "The Brothers". It demonstrates the different, more commercial direction the writing partnership of Hudson and Ford was taking within the band.

The song was unofficially adopted by the trades union movement, and although some have argued that the lyrics are in fact "anti"-trades union, it is most easily understood as a proud folk anthem for the working man.

The song resurfaced on the UK television advertisement for insurance company Norwich Union in the early 2000s.

B-Side

The B-side track "Will You Go" is actually an arrangement of the Scottish folk song "Wild Mountain Thyme" dating back to the repertoire of The Strawberry Hill Boys (the original name of Strawbs). At the time, the band believed this song to be a traditional folk song, but it is, in fact, generally attributed to Ulster songwriter Francis McPeake.

Other recordings

The original "Brothers" recording can be found on the box set "A Taste of Strawbs". Cockerel Chorus (of "Nice One Cyril" fame) also recorded the song for inclusion on their "Party Sing-a-long" album.

It also seems that the song might be an adaptation of the Woody Guthrie/Almanac Singers' song "Union Maid". Although set to different music, the lyrical resemblance is striking.

Personnel

*Dave Cousins – backing vocals, acoustic guitar
*Dave Lambert – backing vocals, electric guitar
*John Ford – lead vocals, bass guitar
*Richard Hudson – backing vocals, drums
*Blue Weaver – piano, mellotron

References

* [http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/@f/f_potu.htm "Part of the Union" at Strawbsweb]
* [http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/sesscvrs/covers.asp#cockerel Covers of "Part of the Union"]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Nashville/3448/unionm.html "Union Maid" song by the "Almanac Singers"]

External links

* [http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/lyrics/alphres.asp#PARTOFTHEUNION Lyrics to "Part of the Union" at Strawbsweb official site]
* [http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/lyrics/alphres.asp#WILLYOUGO Lyrics to "Will You Go" at Strawbsweb official site]