ABC Democracy
ABC Democracy
“To defend liberty, why not inspire the young to love it?
With democracy under attack, one way to stand up for freedom is with an upbeat, danceable song young kids will love and grow into.” —Raffi
“ABC Democracy,” a brand-new song from beloved singer, songwriter Raffi. Written and produced by Raffi, the upbeat anthem celebrates the spirit of liberty through his signature warmth and melodic joy— inviting parents, teachers and children to use this song as a jumping off point to explore what democracy means and why it matters.
Featuring harmonies from the award-winning Canadian trio, Good Lovelies (who also appear on Raffi’s most recent studio album, 2024’s Penny Penguin) , the song is both timely and catchy, blending playful phrasing and rhythmic charm with Raffi’s trademark accessibility. Through simple yet powerful lyrics,“Free to be me, free to be you. With our own voice, we make our choice.” —Raffi distills the essence of participation, individuality, and community spirit.
The song comes with a specially created online study guide, including ideas and resources intended for 3rd-grade students and upwards. Contents include core concepts of democracy, explanations of the song’s lyrics, classroom activities, and extensive resources. “Inspiring Democracy: A Study Guide for Teachers and Students” is available!
“ABC Democracy” follows a long tradition of Raffi’s globally minded songwriting, including his 1994 song “First Peoples” “Salaam Shalom”—a 2004 peace song for the Middle East, “Turn This World Around” (2001)—inspired by and first performed live for Nelson Mandela, and “Green Dream” (2016)—a joyous, vibrant anthem for a green future. “Young People Marching” (2019) was written in gratitude to Greta Thunberg, and highlights the passion and energy of young people in awakening adults to do their duty to stabilize our climate.
“A democracy protects diversity. We are all valued and able to express ourselves through free speech and our votes.” —Raffi
