freedom song, noun phrase

A song or chant sung at protest gatherings and demonstrations, strongly political in content, and often in a formulaic call-and-response style.
1962 A. Fugard Notebks (1983) 53Between speeches the Africans were led in ‘Freedom’ songs by one of the men on the platform.
1976 M. Tholo in C. Hermer Diary of Maria Tholo (1980) 36You are not supposed to sing freedom songs. But you find yourself joining in because even if they have changed the words you still know the tune.
1982 Staffrider Vol.4 No.4, 17‘Amandla!’ Bra Terra screamed. ‘Ngawethu!’ they rejoined, took up another of the freedom songs of the last confrontation, and sang their hearts out.
1985 E. Prov. Herald 20 July 2Soldiers in armoured vehicles watched as thousands of youths gathered near the main road, chanting freedom songs.
1987 Learn & Teach No.5, 33‘Mayibuye i Africa,’ he sings, calling for the return of South Africa..to its people. This..is a freedom song that will be sung everywhere — from Soweto to Gugulethu.
1988 A. Gumede in New Nation 14 Jan. 3When schoolchildren are attacked because they are singing freedom songs, you cannot say the attack is not political.
1990 R. Malan My Traitor’s Heart 138There was some half-hearted singing of freedom songs, but they sounded a little silly in English, and lame in the throats of whites.
1990 R. Malan My Traitor’s Heart 229We were singing freedom songs — ‘Rolihlala Mandela, freedom is in your hands, show us the way to freedom, in our land in Africa’.
A song or chant sung at protest gatherings and demonstrations, strongly political in content, and often in a formulaic call-and-response style.
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