Credit: Kate Izor
Credit: Kate IzorRoger Waters has recorded an updated version of “The Right to Live in Peace,” a protest song by late Chilean folk singer, poet and communist activist Victor Jara, who was tortured and killed in 1973 after dictator Augusto Pinochet seized control of Chile’s government.
The founding Pink Floyd singer/bassist posted an accompanying video for his rendition of the tune on his social media pages that features footage of an unidentified street protest mixed with close-up footage of Waters singing the song.
Roger’s version combines some of the tune’s original Spanish verses with modified English lyrics that reference modern-day cities that are centers of political upheaval. The new lyrics also reference current leaders that Waters apparently considers to be responsible for oppressive policies, among them President Trump, Venezuela’s Juan Guaido, Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro, and India’s Narendra Modi.
Along with the video, Waters has posted a message that reads, “This is for the people of Santiago[, Chile,] and Quito[, Ecuador,] and Jaffa[, Israel,] and Rio [de Janeiro, Brazil,] and La Paz[, Bolivia,] and New York and Baghdad and Budapest[, Hungary,] and everywhere else the man means us harm.”
Meanwhile, Waters recently announced that he was postponing his expansive 2020 This Is Not a Drill Tour until next year because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Bummer, but if it saves one life, it’s worth it,” Roger said in a statement.
People who have already purchased tickets for the shows are advised to hold on to them and await further instructions.
The North American leg of the trek had been scheduled to kick off July 8 in Pittsburgh and run through an October 3 concert in Dallas. The new dates have not yet been announced. The tour is slated to feature Waters performing “in the round.”
(Video contains uncensored profanity.)
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I’ve re-recorded Victor Jara’s great song “The Right to Live in Peace”.
This is for the people of Santiago & Quito & Jaffa & Rio & La Paz & New York & Baghdad & Budapest and everywhere else the man means us harm.
Love R.Watch full video and read lyrics: https://t.co/S6Uroyl9QM pic.twitter.com/HUQzkHKCIq
— Roger Waters (@rogerwaters) April 1, 2020