"Birmingham Sunday" is a song written by

Richard Fariña Richard George Fariña (Spanish IPA: ) (March 8, 1937 – April 30, 1966) was an American folksinger, songwriter, poet and novelist. Early years and education Fariña was born in Brooklyn, New York, United States, the son of an Irish mother, T ...

and performed by both Fariña and also by his sister-in-law

Joan Baez Joan Chandos Baez (; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more ...

. The subject matter is the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963 by members of the

Ku Klux Klan The Ku Klux Klan (), commonly shortened to the KKK or the Klan, is an American white supremacist, right-wing terrorist, and hate group whose primary targets are African Americans, Jews, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and ...

that killed four girls and injured 22 others. The girls were Addie Mae Collins (14), Denise McNair (11), Carole Robertson (14), and Cynthia Wesley (14). The melody of the song comes from a traditional Scottish ballad named

I Once Loved a Lass "I Once Loved a Lass", also known in Scotland as "The False Bride", is a folk song of the British Isles.Edith Fowke, Jay Rahn ''A Family Heritage: The Story and Songs of LaRena Clark'' 1994– Page 103 1895176360 ”I Once Loved a Lass” is also ...

. Fariña's version was released on the Elektra LP '' Singer Songwriter Project'' in 1965, while Baez's version was released on her 1964 Vanguard album ''

Joan Baez/5 ''Joan Baez/5'' is the fifth solo album and third studio album by American folk singer Joan Baez, released in October 1964. It peaked at number 12 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart. The single " There But for Fortune" reached number 50 on the Billbo ...

'', and was used as the theme song of the 1997

Spike Lee Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee (born March 20, 1957) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, has produced more than 35 films since 1983. He made his directorial debut ...

documentary about the bombing, '' 4 Little Girls''. The song was covered by

Rhiannon Giddens Rhiannon Giddens (born February 21, 1977) is an American musician. She is a founding member of the country, blues and old-time music band the Carolina Chocolate Drops, where she is the lead singer, fiddle player, and banjo player. Giddens i ...

on her 2017 album '' Freedom Highway'', and by Tom Paxton and Anne Hills on ''Under American Skies''.

References

American folk songs Joan Baez songs Political songs Protest songs Songs against racism and xenophobia Songs based on American history {{1960s-song-stub

See also

References