How long have protest songs been around?

Answer 1

We can think of some songs of David in The Bible as "protest songs" in which he often complained and argued with God about trials and tribulations David encountered.

Certainly throughout history, humans have used music and lyrics to express displeasure with ruling powers, neighbors, family, and against God.

During American slavery, slaves created encoded songs as a way to carry messages of protest and hope to other slaves. Many songs were constructed to communicate the path for the Underground Railroad, for safe passage from the South to Northern States and Canada.

However, the "protest songs" of our generation had their roots in the 1960s when young men were drafted in the Vietnam War and many peace activists used music and song to spread the message against war. The protest era was strong through the 1960s but lessened in the 1970s and 1980s.

Protest remains one of the most vocal ways for some groups to communicate their displeasure with government (especially) or against any action a group feels is immoral, unethical, etc. Whether through music and song, letter campaigns, or peaceful protest marches, groups continue to make their voices heard.

Answer 2

Some date to the Civil War period- Tenting Tonight is more or less an in-camp anti-war song. It is not clear from the lyrics if it is Union or Confederate.