Matt McGinn (1928-1977)
Matt McGinn was one of the most important topical songwriters in the British Isles. As a young man he listened to street corner speakers along Brunswick Street in Glasgow, Scotland, and became politically active in the Communist Party. After becoming disillusioned with party politics, McGinn worked a number of trades and was frequently involved in union organizing. He attended college and was employed as a school teacher. McGinn found himself in the folk business after winning a song contest with a song entitled "The Foreman O'Rourke." McGinn met Pete Seeger in 1961 when he was touring the British Isles. Seeger championed McGinn's music in the United States and arranged for McGinn to be part of a concert performance at Carnegie Hall, where McGinn met a young Bob Dylan. Recording a number of albums in the United Kingdom, McGinn sent numerous examples of his songs to Broadside for publication. He occasionally sent updates to Broadside about the state of the British topical songwriting scene and organized Broadside concerts in Glasgow in 1963.
The Best of Broadside: 7. "Go Limp"
Go Limp was written by Dr. Alex Comfort, an expert on geriatrics who also wrote extensively on political issues. Comfort is probably best known to contemporary audiences as the author of the popular Joy of Sex books.The song was published in Broadside issue 5 in 1962. Jazz singer Nina Simone took the song and rearranged it as a civil rights march (see Track 35).
Matt McGinn. Photo by Diana Davies.
The Best of Broadside: 49. "If it wasn't for the Union"
"If It Wasn't For the Union" was printed by Broadside in issue 14 (1962) and is an Americanized version of the song "If It Wisnae for the Union." One of Matt McGinn's many jobs was working in a factory that made wood screws and nails. The sound was so deafening that most workers refused to work there. When management required a 33% increase in workload combined with a 10% raise, McGinn complained immediately. He soon found himself appointed shop steward, and a strike shortly followed. Everywhere McGinn worked he was very involved in the union, which frequently resulted in his being shown the door (McGinn 1987:45).
Text extracted from the notes by Jeff Place accompanying The Best of Broadside.
Smithsonian Folkways recordings featuring Matt McGinn:
Broadside Ballads, Volume 1 (FW05301)
Broadside Ballads, Volume 3 (FW05303)
Revival in Britain, Volume 1 (FW08728)