Monday, September 7, 2009
This Land is Your Land
I remember hearing "This Land is Your Land" frequently at school when I was younger. In elementary school, they would play a patriotic song then we would say the pledge of allegiance. It wasn't untill much later that I learned that the famous folk musician, Woody Guthrie, had written the song. Being a musician myself, I decided to learn some of Guthrie's music. Among the songs I decided to learn was "This Land is Your Land". I found that the song is longer than just the few verses we sang at school. I found that this song was not even a truly patriotic song. I am under the impression that "This Land is Your Land" is a criticism of America more than a patriotic anthem. I often wonder how many people know that the socialist Woddy Guthrie is the author or "This Land is Your Land." I often wonder how many people are aware of all of the lyrics. So here they are if you never heard the entire song. You may not think this to be so patriotic anymore. This Land Is Your Land By Woody Guthrie Chorus: This land is your land, this land is my land From California, to the New York Island From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters This land was made for you and me As I was walking a ribbon of highway I saw above me an endless skyway I saw below me a golden valley This land was made for you and me Chorus I've roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts And all around me a voice was sounding This land was made for you and me Chorus The sun comes shining as I was strolling The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling The fog was lifting a voice come chanting This land was made for you and me Chorus As I was walkin' - that dusty highway I saw a sign that said- "private property" But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin Now that side was made for you and me! Chorus In the squares of the city - In the shadow of the steeple In the relief office- I saw my people And some were stumbling- and some were wondering If this land was made for you and me Chorus X2 |
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