When the New York City Labor Chorus belted out their contemporary version of “Solidarity Forever” to close our contract rally in October, thousands of us joined in. The Chorus is composed of scores of unionists who sing original versions of classic labor and civil rights songs. Their CDs and tapes are available, along with much more, from the Labor Heritage Foundation.

The foundation offers a broad range of labor and political music, which makes great holiday gifts for all generations. One of my favorite new singers is David Rovics, a modern day folk singer in the tradition of Phil Ochs. He started with mostly labor songs, but lately he has focused on globalization and war.

I also love “Sweet Honey in the Rock,” the Grammy Award-winning African American female a cappella ensemble with deep roots in the sacred music of the Black church — spirituals, hymns and gospel — as well as jazz and blues. Their new CD, “The Women Gather,” and a number of older works are offered at the Foundation’s web site or by mail order.

To continue the work of the Immigrant Worker Freedom Ride, there is “Nuestras Voces Se Levantan para La Justicia,” (Our Voices Will Rise for Justice). These are labor and immigration songs by workers in the Mexican and U.S. low-wage labor movements. An Interactive CD-ROM, “El Teatro Campesino: From the Fields to Hollywood,” explores the issues, and contributions of the famous Chicano theatre troupe that began in the 1960s grape strike of the United Farm Workers.

There’s a lot more, including rap and rock CD’s for social change, but I also want to mention some new videos. These include a reissue of “Island in the Sun,” the controversial 1957 drama with Harry Belafonte as a Black Caribbean labor leader who falls in love with a wealthy white woman. Also of note is “10,000 Black Men Named George,” a docudrama of the life of A. Philip Randolph and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

For the children try “Chicken Run,” a hilarious video about organizing in the henhouse, brought to life with animation. In the Kids’ Corner of the Labor Heritage web site, there’s also a host of children’s and young adult books, including “Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can,” and music including “Ella Jenkins and a Union of Friends.”

Write the Labor Heritage Foundation, 888 16th St. NW, Suite 680, Washington, DC 20006, phone 202-974-8041, or go to Solidarity for the Holidays at www.laborheritage.org.

This material will also be available for loan from the DC 37 Education Fund Library in Room 211 at DC 37.

— Ken Nash, Ed Fund Library, Rm. 211