Released 1993 (1993-MM) Writer(s) Richard M. Stallman | Genre Filk, folk | |
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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".
Contents
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. Jono Bacon also recorded a death metal version of the song, and the band Fenster recorded a rhythmic version. In addition, there is a Spanish pop punk version recorded by ALEC, and a Rick Astley mashup, "Never Gonna Give GNU Up".
A version is used in the free software karaoke video game Sinatra.
Lyrics
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.
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.