Free Software Song

The Free Software Song is a filk song by Richard M. Stallman about free software. The song is set to the melody of the Bulgarian "Sadi Moma".

"Free Software Song"
Single by Richard M. Stallman
Released 1993 (1993-MM)
GenreFilk, folk
Songwriter(s)Richard M. Stallman
MQuintus performing the Free Software Song along with the audience at German hackerconference 30C3

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.[1] Jono Bacon also recorded a death metal version of the song,[2] and the band Fenster recorded a rhythmic version.[3] In addition, there is a Spanish pop punk version recorded by ALEC,[4][5] and a Rick Astley mashup, "Never Gonna Give GNU Up".[6]

A version is used in the free software karaoke video game Sinatra.[7]

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.[3]

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.

References
  1. Zawinski, Jamie (March 2008). "Why Cooperation with RMS is Impossible, Part 3". Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  2. "Jono Bacon - Free Software Song". Last.fm. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  3. Stallman, Richard (1993). "The Free Software Song". GNU Operating System. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  4. "Arte Libre Estudio Cooperativo". Archived from the original on October 29, 2010.
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20110515035918/http://e3.ututo.org/users/musix/ALEC/cancion_software_libre/master/ALEC_Cancion_SL_master.ogg
  6. "Système D » Never Gonna Give GNU Up". Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  7. Sinatra Homepage Archived May 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
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