“The Triumph Of General Ludd” by Chumbawamba

First off let it be known that the historical figure upon whom Chumbawamba’s “The Triumph of General Ludd” is based, an 18th century man by the name of Ned Ludd, was not a general. Nor was he even in the military. Rather he was a weaver by profession. 

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Chumbawamba's The Triumph of General Ludd at Lyrics.org.

And in 1779, according to authentic sources, he was formally “whipped for idleness”, i.e. under accusations of being lazy. But instead of just taking it like that, Ludd spazzed and destroyed two knitting machines known as stocking frames. 

And the reason why this story is even relevant is because his actions are believed to have served as the personification/inspiration behind the Luddite movement of the 19th century. This movement saw a number of English textile craftsmen ideologically proceed to shutdown the factory/machine aspect of the industry altogether, in the name of protecting their own livelihoods. And it is they who actually went on to dub Ned “General Ludd”.

Lyrics of “The Triumph Of General Ludd”

That said, certain lines in this song are confusing, or perhaps some would say overly-metaphorical. But still, we can ascertain the overall story being relayed. For instance, the first verse reveals that General Ludd is someone whom the vocalist reveres. He sees him as an English legend along the lines of Robin Hood but even greater than the mythic archer. 

So considering the nature of both the Robin Hood and General Ludd characters, then we can conclude that said vocalist is someone who is not overly fond of the capitalist system, so to speak.

In the second verse, “brave Ludd” is depicted as someone who was regularly abused, until the point that he couldn’t take it anymore. Then he proceeds to rise up against his oppressors.

The third verse buttresses the aforementioned idea, in that Ludd is not portrayed as being an individual who is after either the “guilty” or the “innocent”. Rather “his wrath” is apparently reserved wholly at the industry which is destroying the means of sustenance of people like himself, i.e. traditional textile craftsmen who actually work with their hands.

The fourth and fifth verses then go on to embellish Ludd’s legacy. Indeed the way the General is presented is like John Connor in The Terminator, with textile machines being the killer robots. So anytime he comes across one, ‘destruction is employed’. Indeed Ludd is like a hunter of textile machines. And the sixth verse even seems to imply that he commits acts of sabotage against guarded machines or factories.

Don’t you judge General Ludd!

Meanwhile the seventh verse seems to put forth that even though Ludd is breaking the law amidst all of these acts of terrorism, he shouldn’t be judged. He isn’t so much of a criminal as he is representative of a movement. Or as artistically put in the eighth verse, Ludd is the “conquering sword” of vengeance on behalf of the “humble” against the “haughty” folks who “oppress them”.

Conclusion of “The Triumph Of General Ludd”

Then the last two verses are full of that kind of confusing talk we were referring to earlier. It seems that in keeping to the historical motif of this song, Chumbawamba actually set out to render it in a language akin to that spoken in the days of the titular character. But what is pretty obvious by the time the track concludes is that the vocalist is taking on the role of a Luddite himself.

Lyrics for "The Triumph Of General Ludd"

A Luddite

A Luddite is a term that is used even to this day to describe someone who is not keen on accepting new technologies. But as pointed out earlier, back then it was specifically those who were against such advancements in the textile industry. 

They were so because said industry was taking bread off their tables. But considering that Chumbawamba made a song about this movement during the late 20th century likely means that it is intended to have some type of timeless meaning, even if the lyrics are put into a specific historical context. 

Or stated differently, dubbing the narrator an anti-capitalist may be a stretch. But it is pretty obvious that he sympathizes with people whose livelihoods are put at risk due to the advent of machinery. and this is a practice that some may argue is even more pronounced now in the 21st century than it was back then.

"The Triumph Of General Ludd"

“The Triumph of General Ludd” Facts

Artist(s): Chumbawamba
Writing: This is a traditional song
Release: 1988
Album/EP: “English Rebel Songs 1381–1914”

Chumbawamba’s “English Rebel Songs 1381–1914” Album

English rock band Chumbawamba released the traditional folk song, The Triumph of General Ludd, in 1988 as part of their third studio album, English Rebel Songs 1381–1984

One Little Indian Records released the original LP recording that was completed in 1988 on CD in 1994. Chumbawamba re-recorded the album in 2003. In doing so, they added extra songs and changed the tracklisting on the album. Furthermore, they released it under their newly founded MUTT Records label.

They also modified the title of the 2003 version and called it English Rebel Songs 1381–1914.

The album was primarily made up of classic English protest songs. It was also a merger of choral and Acappella music.

Ned Ludd

The English weaver from Anstey, England was the “trailblazer” among the group of British weavers and textile workers who came to be known as the Luddites. Possibly born Edward Ludlam, Ned Ludd in 1779 was whipped for staying idle.

Though not proven, it was suspected that he refused to work because of the introduction of textile machinery into the handmade craft of many trained artisans.

After he was whipped, he angrily smashed two mechanical knitting machinery specifically used in the textile industry called the “Stocking Frame”.

This act of rage demonstrated by Ludd created a movement called The Luddites in Nottingham, England. It was used to describe persons who hated the introduction of technology.

The movement had spread wide across England from 1811 to 1816. Luddites burned and attacked factories, exchanging fire with factory guards and security. The mission of the classical Luddite movement was to protest against the introduction of machinery which was taking away their source of livelihood.

The attempt of the Luddites to prevent factory owners and investors from installing these machineries proved futile as the British government took their protests as acts of rebellion. The government soon declared the act of machine breaking a major offense accompanied by the death penalty.

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