A Little Fight Music Trivia Quiz

Answer: Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was a conflict between the Republicans, who supported the democratic Spanish Republic, and the Nationalists, a fascist rebel group led by General Francisco Franco. The war ended in victory for the Nationalists and led to a dictatorship under Franco that lasted until his death in 1975.

"Ay Carmela" is one of the most famous songs of the Spanish Civil War, often sung by the Republican forces. The origins of the song are somewhat obscure, but it is based on a traditional Spanish folk song. During the Civil War, it was adapted with new lyrics that emphasised the Republican cause and the fight against fascism.

There are two versions of the song: "El Paso del Ebro" and "Ay Carmela", both referring to important battles and events in the Republican campaign. The song became an anthem of resistance and solidarity, reflecting the hopes and struggles of those fighting for the Spanish Republic.

The image shows the flag of the Spanish Republic.

Answer: Italian partisans

During the Second World War, the Italian Resistance (Resistenza) was a movement of various anti-fascist groups who fought against the German occupying forces and Mussolini's troops. These partisans were instrumental in liberating Italy from Fascist control.

"Bella Ciao" originated as a folk song of the Italian rice workers in the late 19th century. It was later adopted by the Italian partisans as an anthem of resistance. The song's lyrics speak of a partisan willing to die for freedom, and its haunting melody has made it an enduring symbol of resistance and liberation.

Over the years, "Bella Ciao" has been covered by many artists and remains a powerful protest song around the world. In recent years, the song has gained renewed popularity through its use in the Spanish television series "La Casa de Papel" ("Money Heist").

The photo depicts a street sign in Casatenovo (Lombardy) commemorating the Italian Resistance.

Answer: The Ballad of the Green Berets

The Vietnam War (1955-1975) was a long conflict between communist North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other anti-communist nations. The war was marked by significant cultural and social upheaval.

Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler, a member of the United States Army Special Forces, wrote and performed "The Ballad of the Green Berets". Released in 1966, the song became a huge hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It pays tribute to the Green Berets, the elite Special Forces of the US Army, and reflects the patriotic sentiments and military bravery of the time.

The song's lyrics pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Green Berets and resonated with the American public during a controversial period in US history. Sadler's musical career was short, but his song remains one of the most memorable of the Vietnam War era.

The photo shows a collections of berets, an ancient headgear.

Answer: The Partisan

The Second World War (1939-1945) saw widespread resistance movements throughout occupied Europe, with the French Resistance playing a significant role in undermining Nazi control in France. The Resistance carried out sabotage, gathered intelligence and supported the Allied forces.

"La Complainte du Partisan" was written in 1943 by Anna Marly (music) and Emmanuel d'Astier de la Vigerie (lyrics). The song became an anthem of the French Resistance during the Second World War, capturing the spirit and struggles of those fighting the Nazi occupation. Marly herself was a member of the French Resistance, and her contributions to the movement included performing the song on the BBC to boost the morale of resistance fighters.

Leonard Cohen's 1969 English version "The Partisan" brought the song to an international audience, retaining the sombre and determined mood of the original.

The stamp shows a partisan woman from Yugoslavia in 1945.

Answer: The Battle Hymn of the Republic

The American Civil War (1861-1865) was fought between the northern states (the Union) and the southern states that seceded to form the Confederate States of America. The main issues were states' rights and slavery, and the war ended in a Union victory, leading to the abolition of slavery.

"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" was written by Julia Ward Howe in November 1861 and first published in "The Atlantic Monthly" in February 1862. Set to the tune of "John Brown's Body", a song about the radical abolitionist John Brown, Howe's lyrics provided a more sophisticated and religiously inspired text.

The song quickly gained popularity among Union troops and became a symbol of the fight against slavery. Its powerful imagery and fervent call to action, beginning with "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord", have made it an enduring patriotic hymn.

The picture shows an announcement of the first public performance of the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Answer: Over There

The First World War (1914-1918) involved most of the world's major powers, who fought in two opposing alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. The United States joined the Allies in 1917, providing much needed support.

"Over There" was written by George M. Cohan shortly after the United States entered World War I. The song became an instant hit and served as a morale booster for American soldiers on their way to Europe. Its catchy refrain - "Over there, over there, send the word, send the word over there" - captured the spirit of American commitment and determination to support the Allies. The song was used extensively in recruitment campaigns and patriotic rallies, and its popularity endured long after the war, becoming a symbol of American patriotism.

Answer: American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) was a struggle for independence between the thirteen American colonies and Great Britain. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, granting independence to the United States.

The origins of "Yankee Doodle" predate the Revolutionary War. The song was originally written by British soldiers during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) to mock the American colonial troops, using "Yankee" as a derogatory term for Americans and "doodle" to imply stupidity. During the Revolutionary War, however, American soldiers reclaimed the tune and transformed it into a song of defiance and national pride. The lyrics were often improvised, reflecting current events and poking fun at the British. "Yankee Doodle" became a symbol of American resilience and unity, and remains an important part of American patriotic culture today.

The painting is called "The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis", which effectively ended the Revolutionary War.

Answer: Battle of Gallipoli

The Battle of Gallipoli or Gallipoli Campaign (1915-1916) was a major battle during the First World War in which Allied forces attempted to secure a sea route to Russia. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) played a crucial role in the campaign, which ended in a costly stalemate. This event is commemorated annually as ANZAC Day.

Although "Waltzing Matilda" predates World War I - it was composed in 1895 with words by Banjo Paterson and music by Christina Macpherson - it became an informal anthem for Australian troops during the Gallipoli campaign. The song tells the story of an itinerant labourer (a "swagman") and has deep connections to Australian identity and folklore. Its poignant, melancholic tone resonated with soldiers far from home, linking the struggles of the individual swagman to the hardships of war. Over time it became a cultural symbol closely associated with Australian military service and patriotism.

The photo shows a building on Gallipoli Peninsula damaged by shell splinters.

Answer: War of 1812

The War of 1812 (1812-1815) was a conflict between the United States and the British Empire, sparked in part by maritime disputes and British support for Native American resistance to US expansion. One of the most significant events of the war occurred on 13-14 September 1814 during the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbour. Despite 25 hours of shelling, American forces successfully defended the fort and marked a turning point in the war.

The lyrics of "The Star-Spangled Banner" were written by Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and amateur poet who observed the bombardment from a British ship where he had been negotiating the release of an American prisoner. Key was struck by the sight of the US flag, with its 15 stars and 15 stripes, flying defiantly over the fort at dawn after the attack. His poem, originally entitled "Defence of Fort M'Henry", was published soon after and set to the tune of a British song, "To Anacreon in Heaven", composed by John Stafford Smith.

The song became popular as a patriotic anthem, despite its challenging vocal range of 19 semitones. The flag that inspired Key, now known as the Star-Spangled Banner, was designed by Mary Young Pickersgill and is preserved in the Smithsonian Institution. Although Key's poem has four verses, only the first is widely sung today. In 1931, "The Star-Spangled Banner" was officially adopted as the US national anthem by an act of Congress signed by President Herbert Hoover.

The image shows a plaque in Stonington, Connecticut, commemorating the War of 1812.

Answer: Oh Tannenbaum

"The Red Flag", written by Irish socialist Jim Connell in 1889, has become a powerful anthem for labour and socialist movements around the world. Its lyrics evoke the struggles and sacrifices of workers seeking equality and justice, with the red flag serving as a symbol of solidarity. The song is usually sung to the tune of "O Tannenbaum" (although Connell originally preferred the Jacobite tune "The White Cockade").

Adopted as the anthem of the British Labour Party from its inception, "The Red Flag" is traditionally sung at the close of the party's annual conference. It was famously sung in the House of Commons following Labour's victory in the 1945 general election, and has since become a rallying cry at key moments in the party's history. Despite debates about its relevance during the Tony Blair era, the song has endured as a defining symbol of the party's socialist roots.

Beyond Britain, translated versions of "The Red Flag" are sung by labour and socialist groups around the world, including the Japanese Communist Party and the Korean People's Army. It remains a symbol of workers' rights, resonating across cultures and generations as a unifying call for social justice.

The picture shows a Christmas tree ("Tannenbaum" in German).