¿which side are you on?

The title track of ¿Which Side Are You On? provides ani's unique reinterpretation of the famed protest anthem, written in 1931 by Florence Reece. The song was made famous by Pete Seeger, who, in a recent interview, Ani reverently referred to as, “my elder, my forefather in folk music and political song.”

Mr. Seeger himself sings and plays banjo on the track, building a spirtual bridge between the original and Ani's reworked version.

While talking to No Depression about the new version of the song, Ani explained “I think the title can be a little deceiving. I don't think it's a song about taking sides. I think it's a call to action.”

Check out the full interview at NoDepression.com

¿which side are you on?

by Florence Reece
with new lyrics by Ani DiFranco

they stole a few elections
still we the people won
we voted out corruption
and big corporations
we voted for an end to war
and new direction
and we ain't gonna stop now
until the job is done

come on all good workers!
this here is our time
now there's folks in washington
that care what's on our minds
come one come all voters!
let's all vote next time
show 'em which side are you on now
which side are you on

which side are you on now
which side are you on?

thirty years of digging
got us in this hole
the curse of reaganomics
has finally taken its toll
lord knows the free market
is anything but free
it costs dearly to the planet
and the likes of you and me

i don't need no money lenders
suckin on my tit!
a little socialism
don't scare me one bit!
we could do a whole lot worse
than europe or canada
come on mr. president
come on congress make the law!

which side are you on now
which side are you on?

they say in orleans parish
there are no neutrals there
there's just too much misery
there's too much despair
america who are we
now our innocence is gone?
forgive us mother africa
history's done you wrong

too many stories
written out in black and white
come on people of privilege
it's time to join the fight
are we living in the shadow of slavery
or are we moving on?
tell me which side are you on now
which side are you on?

which side are you on now
which side are you on?

my mother was a feminist
she taught me to see
the road to ruin is paved
with patriarchy
so let the way of women
guide democracy
and from plunder and pollution
let mother earth be free

feminism ain't about women
that's not who it is for
it's about a shift in consciousness
that will bring an end to war
so listen up you fathers
listen up you sons
and tell me which side are you on now
which side are you on?

which side are you on now
which side are you on?

so are we just consumers
or are we citizens
are we going to make more garbage
or are we going to make amends?
are you part of the solution
or are you part of the con?
tell me which side are you on
now which side are you on?

featuring: pete seeger and the rivertown kids
derrick tabb and the roots of music marching crusaders
pete seeger ... banjo, backing voice
ani ... tenor guitar, voice, percussion
todd sickafoose ... bass, mellotron
derrick tabb ... snare drum
andy borger ... drums and percussion
mike dillon ... percussion
allison miller ... backing voice
the rivertown kids ... backing voices
roots of music marching crusaders ... horns and drums