Free Software Song
| "Free Software Song" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Richard M. Stallman | |
| Released | 1993 |
| Genre | Filk, folk |
| Writer(s) | Richard M. Stallman |
The Free Software Song is a filk propaganda song by Richard M. Stallman about free software. The song is set to the melody of the Bulgarian "Sadi Moma".
A version of this song is also performed by a band (the GNU/Stallmans) during the credits of the documentary Revolution OS. In 1998, Matt Loper recorded a techno version of the song.[1] Jono Bacon also recorded a death metal version of the song,[2] and the band Fenster recorded a rhythmic version.[3] In addition, there is a Spanish pop punk version recorded by ALEC,[4] and a Rick Astley mashup.
A version is used in the free software karaoke video game Sinatra.[5]
Lyrics
 |
"The Free Software Song"
 An interpretation in proper Bulgarian style, both vocal and musical by several artists |
| Problems playing this file? See media help. | |
- Join us now and share the software;
- You'll be free, hackers, you'll be free.
- Join us now and share the software;
- You'll be free, hackers, you'll be free.
- Hoarders can get piles of money,
- That is true, hackers, that is true.
- But they cannot help their neighbors;
- That's not good, hackers, that's not good.
- When we have enough free software
- At our call, hackers, at our call,
- We'll kick out those dirty licenses
- Ever more, hackers, ever more.
- Join us now and share the software;
- You'll be free, hackers, you'll be free.
- Join us now and share the software;
- You'll be free, hackers, you'll be free.
The lyrics have been placed in the public domain.[3]
Note: the audio-only recording on this page has slightly different lyrics, indicated in brackets below:
- (Line 5) Hoarders [may]...
- (Line 11) We'll [throw] out...
Additional Verses
In the spirit of free software, supporters are invited to write additional verses to the song.
- Don't trade freedom for convenience;
- Don't be slaves, hackers, don't be slaves.
- Take the shackles off our systems;
- Set us free, hackers, set us free.
- Help us spread free software to the world;
- Sharing is good, hackers, sharing's good.
- Take the time to help each other;
- Let's unite, hackers, let's unite.
- All those who think knowledge should be free;
- Now stand tall, hackers, now stand tall.
- Now's the time to come together;
- Stand as one, hackers, stand as one.
References
- ↑ Zawinski, Jamie (March 2008). "Why Cooperation with RMS is Impossible, Part 3". Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ↑ "Jono Bacon - Free Software Song". Last.fm. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- 1 2 Stallman, Richard (1993). "The Free Software Song". GNU Operating System. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- ↑ "Arte Libre Estudio Cooperativo". Archived from the original on October 29, 2010.
- ↑ Sinatra Homepage Archived May 7, 2011 at the Wayback Machine
External links
 |
Wikisource has original text related to this article: |
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Free Software Song. |
- The Free Software Song at the official GNU Project Website
- The Free Software Song Remixed
- Richard Stallman - Free Software Song on YouTube