“Stand by me!”
Francis Sedgemore, Saturday 25 July 2009
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we’ll see
No I won’t be afraid, no I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
There were chants aplenty of “Marg bar dictator!” outside the Iranian Embassy in London, but it was a rousing rendition of the classic Ben E King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller song “Stand by me” that rounded off this afternoon’s protest by Iranian democrats and their local supporters against the clerical fascist regime in Tehran. Joyful, celebratory, and a touch surreal.
Today’s demonstration was part of a global day of action for the people of Iran.
See here for another recent manifestation by Iranians in London.
Feed the writer! 
Sunday 26 July 2009 at 10:09 GMT
Did they have Ben E King’s version in mind?
Or was it this guy’s cover – which might make the Iranians’ choice more explicable?:
Sunday 26 July 2009 at 11:01 GMT
Yes, Chris, it could have been Cassius’ cover. But sung much better than the old pugilist could manage.
Tuesday 28 July 2009 at 07:43 GMT
Excellent choice of anthem. Next up, a couple of Aretha Franklin songs: “Respect” and “Think”.
What a surprisingly weedy voice Mohammad Ali has though.
Tuesday 28 July 2009 at 08:51 GMT
Butterflies and bees be damned – Mohammad Ali is a big girl’s blouse.
Wednesday 29 July 2009 at 11:07 GMT
Then along came Bono…
Wednesday 29 July 2009 at 11:10 GMT
If there’s anyone who deserves to be holed up in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, it’s that gobshite frontman for popular singing group U2.