Tuesday 1st December 2015 by Cai Trefor | Photos by WENN

11 of the greatest, most powerful anti-war songs

A soundtrack to the protest against the proposed bombing of Syria by British troops

Bill Withers - 'I Can't Write Left Handed': "I ain't gonna live, I don't believe I'm going to live to get much older," sings Withers as he tells the story of a young guy who lost his right arm after being shot in the Vietnam war. Emotional stuff.

The Rub - 'George Bush Is An Islamic Fundamentalist': This hip hop/revolutionary guitar player and singer from London stirs up debate in a powerful damning of George Bush and the American government. He highlights how politicians going into war is against the interest of ordinary people although it's spun to sound like it's necessary and we're all in it together. The song has so much depth. It's a must listen.

Radiohead - 'Harry Patch (In Memory Of): "Give your leaders each a gun and then let them fight it out themselves." Typically righteous words there from Thom Yorke.

Simon and Garfunkel -'7 O'Clock News / Silent Night': This song critiques the pro war propaganda in mainstream media. They comment on media coverage of former Vice-President Richard Nixon who called opposition to the war the "greatest single weapon working against the United States."

Steel Pulse - 'Handsworth Revolution': This dub reggae masterpiece, released in 1978, tackles the violent apartheid in South Africa: "They are my brothers in South Africa / One Black represent all, all over the world / Can't bear it no longer."

The Irish Rovers - 'Johnny, I hardly knew ye': "Where are the legs with which you run? Hurroo, hurro! This is a humorous song but also filled with powerful anti war lyrics. It's a great a cover of the original - which was written in 1867 - and tells the story of a woman who meets her former lover who was severely disfigured after coming back from war in Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka).

Edwin Starr - 'War': The Motown band belt out "War, what is it good for!? Absolutely nothing!" Fine point indeed.

Rage Against The Machine - 'Killing In The Name': "Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites." This highlights the tragedies caused by war and the lack of accountability toward politicians who decide to go to war.

Benjamin Zephaniah - 'Rong Radio': "I was beginning to believe that our children were better than their children would die from terrorism but I couldn't hear their children call and a child from Palestine simply didn't count at all" is just one of the poignant anti war statements in this rousing song. It really slams the Murdoch media's pro war stance.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - 'Fortunate Son': This is one of the greatest anti Vietnam war hits and defends protesters as the government at the time tried to paint them as un-American.

System Of A Down - 'Deer Dance': "Pushing little children with their fully automatics they like to push the weak around." A strong criticism of America's deployment of young people who aren't even legally allowed to drink being encouraged to fight.

Tonight will see thousands of anti war protestors take to the streets of London to ensure their voices are heard - as Tory ministers will vote tomorrow (2 December) on whether or not to bomb Syria.

There's a lot of apathy among the British public and the effectiveness of protest, especially after a million people took to the streets to oppose the invasion of Iraq that went ahead anyway.

However, popular protest is the most proven method for social change and the higher the numbers and the louder the voices the great chance that injustices from high up in government can be stopped.

Here's 11 great anti war songs which will hopefully encourage you to be more politically active - or be the soundtrack to your march this evening and at subsequent follow up marches.

11 of the greatest, most powerful anti-war songs

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