IF PETE SEEGER SANG TO THE TENNESSEE 3

As well as some virtuoso banjo picking, this clip has Pete singing up another piece of nefarious Tennessee history.

It's the last song on the clip, about an infamous century-old battle known as the Coal Creek miners' rebellion, when the governor leased out convicts to the mining company, to scab on striking miners. Sent in the state militia when the miners kicked back; and after some bloody battles, starved the strikers into submission.

Here's how the song from that conflagration goes.

ROLL DOWN THE LINE--THE COAL CREEK REBELLION

Way back yonder in Tennessee

They leased the convicts out

Sent them working in the mines against free labour stout

Free labour rebelled against it, to win it took some time

But while the lease was in effect, we made 'em rise and shine!

Buddy won't you roll down the line

Buddy won't you roll down the line

Yonder comes my darlin', comin' down the line

Buddy won't you roll down the line,

Buddy won't you roll down the line

Yonder comes my darlin', comin' down the line!

Here's how we figure Pete might update for today's battlers.

BLAST DOWN THE LINE-- REBELLION OF THE TENNESSEE 3

Way down yonder in the Tennessee House

They threw their gun protesters out

Told the Tennessee 3, You can’t talk free, here’s what it’s all about--

Shootin’ up schools don’t change the rules,

Learn this lesson, all and one

In the Tennessee House you’re a pinko louse

If you don’t love your gun!

Buddy you tote yours, I’ll tote mine

Buddy you tote yours, I’ll tote mine

Yonder come my darlin', blastin’ down the line

Buddy you tote yours, I’ll tote mine

Buddy you tote yours, I’ll tote mine

Yonder come my darlin', mowin’ down the line !

AND: AN EXTRA COUPLA VERSES FOR THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION'S. AMERICA:

GUNNING UP THE LINE

Way down yonder in the USA

Don’t ya come and ring my bell

I’ll unpack my gat, show ya where it’s at,

I’ll blow ya straight to hell

Don’t turn into my driveway

Don’t play ball on my lawn

I got my gun, you dirty scum

And you’ll be dead and gone.

Buddy don’t go crossing' my line

Buddy don't go crossing my line...

''Cause way down here in America, we don’t buck the NRA

20 billion bucks selling guns to clucks,

Say buddy, that ain’t hay

This land’s your land, carbine in hand

Yes we got them to thank

We blow each other to kingdom come

They laugh all the way to the bank.

Buddy you pack yours, I pack mine,

Buddy you pack yours I pack mine

Yonder come the NRA

Loading up the line

Buddy I’ll kill your kids you kill mine

Buddy I’ll kill your kids you kill mine

Yonder come the NRA

Buffin’ the bottom line!