Our Song of the Day is “May Day”, the first single to be taken from Darren Hayman’s powerful new collection of songs based based on William Morris’s Chants for Socialists (due for release on wiaiwya on 2 February). Watch the video below:
Darren explains: “Of all of Morris’s lyrics that I arranged May Day is the least concerned with the shackles or work or the socialist struggle. May Day become know as International Workers Day shortly before the writing of these words so it’s tempting to assume that Morris was thinking more about the day as the ancient spring festival, a holiday to beckon in the first days of spring.
In much the same way I’ve treated the song as a workers’ holiday rather than a workers’ celebration. On my album of Morris lyrics I have dressed many of his words with a feint sorrow and ennui. May Day however is the album’s true moment of optimism and it’s only pop song. I wanted to make the guitars chime and the singers’ soar. For about three minutes I wanted it to seem like everything might be alright.”
The Making of Chants for Socialists
Darren Hayman will be embarking on a series of live performances to bring the Chants for Socialists project to life. dates below:
LIVE DATES:
24 Jan – Union Chapel, Islington – Daylight Music – 12pm onwards – FREE
07 Feb – William Morris Society, Hammersmith
19 March – William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow
20 March – William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow
Chants for Socialists is due out on wiaiwya on 2 February
Pre-order it here:
wiaiwya.bandcamp.com/album/chants-for-socialists-2