"Hay Una Mujer Desaparecida," by Ronnie Gilbert and Holly Near

[Judi Lynn]

This song is posted at D.U. in memory of the woman who recorded it, Ronnie Gilbert, of the Weavers, upon her passing in the last week. The song is absolutely fitting as a feature commemorating the life of this tremendous activist.

"Hay Una Mujer Desaparecida," Ronnie Gilbert and Holly Near

Comments with the original post:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/11387064

[marym625]

1. Thank you for posting, Judi.

Ronnie Gilbert was a hero who never received the fanfare she deserved

[Judi Lynn]

2. Published today: "A Great Woman Has Died: The Passing of Ronnie Gilbert"

June 08, 2015

A Great Woman Has Died

The Passing of Ronnie Gilbert

by DAVID MACARAY


Ronnie Gilbert, an original member of the legendary folk group, the Weavers, died on June 7 at the age of 88. While the prodigiously talented Pete Seeger was clearly the most recognizable member of the group (Fred Hellerman and Lee Hays were the other two members), it was Ronnie Gilbert who gave the Weavers their lyrical elegance.

While Gilbert could be as playful and whimsical as the rest of the gang, her contralto voice projected a haunting solemnity that stood out. Listen to her segment on the Weaver’s version of the great Leadbelly song, “Goodnight, Irene.” Her voice is so achingly “declarative,” it’s heartbreaking. Wonderful song, terrific singer. (Fun fact: Ken Kesey’s book, “Sometimes a Great Notion,” takes its title from a “Goodnight, Irene” lyric.)

The daughter of Eastern European Jewish immigrants, Gilbert was born and raised in New York City. Her mother was a seamstress (just as the iconic Mary “Mother Jones” Harris was) and labor union advocate, and her father was a factory worker. Gilbert once said that it was listening to the “subversive” lyrics of Paul Robeson on the radio, when she was a kid, that inspired her to become a folk singer.

Anyone conversant in Cold War history and its attendant “Red Scare,” is aware of what happened to the Weavers. Suspecting this folk group of being too “leftwing,” the merchants of hatred and fear, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy, smeared them as “Communists” and had them blacklisted.

More:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/06/08/the-passing-of-ronnie-gilbert/

[marym625]

3. This is a great article

It's the best I have seen about what Ms. Gilbert endured.

Thanks for it. And thank you for being such a great advocate in so many areas