This is an original 1939 Keynote Album 128, titled Freedom Sings: Canciones de la Guerra de la Independencia de España. This collection serves as a primary auditory document of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), created to sustain the morale of those fighting against the rise of fascism. These recordings represent the vocal traditions of the Republican forces and the International Brigades, disseminated to uphold the political values of a cause defined by its tragic struggle for democracy. The liner notes provided with this set include historical context and translations that offer insight into the ideological mobilization of the era.
​The Keynote Recordings Mission
​Keynote Recordings was not a typical commercial record label; it was a vehicle for the staunch left-wing political convictions of its founder, Eric Bernay, who established the company in 1940. The label became a vital medium for anti-fascist and protest music, operating as a platform for political solidarity rather than commercial gain. Their projects frequently documented the "Songs of Freedom," with some, like the companion set Six Songs for Democracy, recorded under siege conditions in Barcelona in 1938. The label’s output was deeply influential and highly controversial, promoting key voices of the era such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Paul Robeson, and directly challenging the authoritarian politics of the time.
​Track Listing and Credits
​Ya Sabes Mi Paradero (arr. Rodolfo Halffter)
​El Tragala (arr. Gustavo Pittaluga)
​Marineros (arr. Gustavo Pittaluga)
​Coplas del Fuerte de San Cristobal (arr. Rodolfo Halffter)
​El Paso del Ebro (arr. Rodolfo Halffter)
​El Pendon Morado (arr. Gustavo Pittaluga)
​Condition Report
​Discs: E (Excellent)
​Album Cover: VG (Very Good)
​Packaging and Logistics
​To ensure these historic discs arrive in the same condition as when they left my collection, I take the utmost care in shipping:
​The disc is sandwiched between corrugated cardboard and wrapped in bubble wrap.
​This is then placed inside a double-skin box filled with packing void to prevent movement and provide maximum protection.
​Carefully packed and promptly dispatched.