In times of global tensions and a possible new rise of fascist, racist, nationalist and fundamentalist movements, it’s imperative to remember the voices of consciousness coming to us from the past. Leadbelly is such a voice. With this voodoo spell he threw on Adolf Hitler in the 1940’s, he reminds us on one of the primary roles of arts, including music - to reflect and alter society. Leadbelly’s haunting promise that “we’re gonna tear Hitler down” echoes through the decades, reminding us of the responsibility we have towards any injustice, intolerance or aggression. His message is, even more, stronger coming from an artist that, regardless of Nazi Germany, had his own struggles and horrors, dealing with racism in a deeply segregated society. But he left aside his misery and pointed to a danger that could be far more disastrous than anything else in the world. What's really interesting is that it was written in 1942 when some people were still claiming not to fully know what was going on with the Nazis. If you believe in the Butterfly effect, then maybe, the mojo that Leadbelly focused on Hitler, might have been the flapping of the wings that several years later resulted in the collapse of an empire. Who knows?!
"Mr. Hitler" LYRICS:
Hiltler started out in 1932Hiltler started out in 1932When he started out, he took the homes from the JewsWe're gonna tear Hitler downWe're gonna tear Hitler downWe're gonna tear Hitler down someday.We're gonna bring him to the groundWe're gonna bring him to the groundWe're gonna bring him to the ground someday.When Hitler started out, he took the Jews from their homesWhen Hitler started out, he took the Jews from their homesThat's one thing Mr. Hitler you know you done wrong.We're gonna tear Hitler downWe're gonna tear Hitler downWe're gonna tear Hitler down someday.We're gonna bring him to the groundWe're gonna bring him to the groundWe're gonna bring him to the ground someday.You ain't no iron, you ain't no solid rockYou ain't no iron, you ain't no solid rockbut we American people say "Mr. Hitler you is got to stop!"We're gonna tear Hitler downWe're gonna tear Hitler downWe're gonna tear Hitler down someday.We're gonna bring him to the groundWe're gonna bring him to the groundWe're gonna bring him to the ground someday.Mr. Hitler we're gonna tear your playhouse downMr. Hitler we're gonna tear your playhouse downyou been flyin' mighty high, but you're on your last go round.We're gonna tear Hitler downWe're gonna tear Hitler downWe're gonna tear Hitler down someday.We're gonna bring him to the groundWe're gonna bring him to the groundWe're gonna bring him to the ground someday.Mr. Hitler, you know you ain't so keenMr. Hitler, you know you ain't so keenBut we American people say you're the biggest liar they ever seen.We're gonna tear Hitler downWe're gonna tear Hitler downWe're gonna tear Hitler down someday.We're gonna bring him to the groundWe're gonna bring him to the groundWe're gonna bring him to the ground someday.
