In a remarkable blend of music and activism, Tannis Kowalchuk has taken a traditional Scottish melody and transformed it into a powerful modern-day protest anthem. Her song, echoing through Honesdale’s Fred R. Miller Pavilion, captivated a crowd with its simple yet evocative refrain: “No more kings.”
Drawing upon a historical form of vocal expression known as mouth music, or puirt à beul, Kowalchuk’s adaptation serves as a critique of perceived modern-day tyranny. “They had mouth music because they were not allowed to sing in their language because the [British] monarch was oppressing them,” Kowalchuk explained, linking the past to the present.
Protest Movements Across Pennsylvania
This year, Kowalchuk established Singing Resistance NEPA, an activist choir participating in a national event called the “No Kings National Day of Nonviolent Action.” The movement, which saw around 300 participants marching in Honesdale, also sparked events in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and other locations across Northeast Pennsylvania.
The movement’s organizers aim to challenge the policies of the Trump administration, stating, “The Trump administration’s harmful and reckless decisions continue to impact every individual and family nationwide.” Meanwhile, NoKings.org emphasizes the movement’s core message: “No Kings” as the foundation of American democracy.
Voices in Harmony
The Singing Resistance NEPA choir, which began gathering in late February, uses music to foster unity and highlight social issues. “Unity and democracy and humanity are something that I feel is like, just really starting to get drained from our country’s consciousness,” Kowalchuk reflected. The group meets weekly at Greenhouse Cafe in Honesdale, drawing singers from across the region.
During the march, Kowalchuk led the crowd in singing protest songs, including Pete Seeger’s “Step by Step” and Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.” The event concluded with a rendition of Sarina Partridge’s “Our Song Is Stronger Than The Fear.”
Echoes of Revolution
Participants in the Honesdale march were accompanied by a fife and drum corps, harkening back to the pre-revolutionary era. Pamela Arnold and Richard Fairbanks, both wearing “Don’t Tread on Me” T-shirts, emphasized the historical significance of their music. “A lot of what we’ve chosen to play today goes back to pre-revolutionary times,” Fairbanks noted.
Arnold added, “Originally this was the 13 colonies telling the King of England ‘don’t tread on me.’ So since this is No Kings, that’s why we’re wearing these shirts and playing the revolutionary songs from 1776.”
Community Voices
Kelsey Franjione, a local resident, emphasized the grassroots nature of the event. “I come here every time and see the person who serves me bagels and the people who teach at the school and my neighbors from down the street,” she said. Franjione expressed her concern over current socio-political conditions, noting a growing sense of unrest and uncertainty.
Carol Lawson, another participant, carried a sign she made in 2003 to protest the Iraq War, fearing parallels with today’s global conflicts. “I want to support my community, create as much awareness as I can,” she stated, highlighting the ongoing struggle for peace and justice.
The event concluded with a sense of optimism and unity, as Fairbanks remarked, “We felt good then, we knew we were doing right then. We feel more right today.”
