‘This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land’
More InfoIn 1940 Woody Guthrie wrote the lyrics to ‘This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land.’
On this Fourth of July — especially on this Fourth of July — we feel it is important to recall this song and remind ourselves of — and commit ourselves to — its call for a diverse, welcoming community that embraces young and old, immigrant and resident, rich and poor, people of all faiths and ethnicities, with respect for the magnificent, inspring beauty of the living land we are lucky enough to have been given. This is the true spirit of America.
You can listen to a recording of Woody Guthrie singing his ‘This Land is Your Land’ by clicking on image above.
Below, is a more recent recording, with Woody’s son Arlo — a Berkshire resident — singing a rousing rendition with Pete Seeger. The lyrics follow:
This Land is Your Land
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 that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway
I saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me.
[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.
I roamed and I rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
While all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me.
[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.
When the sun came shining, and I was strolling
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
A voice was chanting, As the fog was lifting,
This land was made for you and me.
[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 walkin’ I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said ‘No Trespassing.’
But on the other side it didn’t say nothing.
That side was made for you and me.
[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.
In the squares of the city, in the shadow of the steeple,
By the Relief Office I’d seen my people —
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
Is this land was made for you and me.
[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.
Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.
[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.
Great Barrington Selectmen appoint Du Bois legacy panel; begin town manager search; approve Tractor Supply
POEM: The reading of the deed
Good to hear our real national anthem again. Always moved by the words, no matter how often I listen to it.
Thanks
Thanks to Marcie, David, and Company for sharing this tribute to the American spirit….it’s like uncovering a dusty copy of The Constitution in the attic and having a read.
Thanks to the Edge for reminding us of where we are and where we have to go – especially this November. A great start to the 4th !!
Wait a second! Hold the phone! Where is the outrage? On this day that we celebrate our country’s independence, the Edge has two separate versions of commies singing their fake national anthem. Here in the Berkshires? (We all know, don’t we, that Woody and Pete were both unashamedly card-carrying members of the Communist Party? We should give Arlo, I suppose, a pass on the theory that it isn’t right to convict the kid of the sins of the father.)
In fact, Petey was so enthusiastic in his support for Stalin, that he withdrew an album from distribution which contained a song critical of Hitler after the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Soviet-Nazi Nonagression Pact.
Today at least, let’s show our patriotism and abjure any singing by commies here in the Berkshires. And while we’re at it, how about seeing if the Mason Library has any books in its collection by Dashiell Hammett, another Red, or any DVDs with Lucille Ball, who was also a commie before she hit the big time with “I Love Lucy.” Let’s also check to see if the library stocks any movies with the actor Sterling Hayden, another fellow traveler, or if any public buildings are displaying the art of Picasso.
Well, on second thought, perhaps they all deserve a pass. They were white folks, after all.
I think it’s just so ironic that you still demonize “commies” so, while in this day, our govt. is seccumbing to racist fascism. Do you prefer this authoritarianism? Pete Server and Woody Guthrie were Patriots. You don’t have a monopoly on patriotism, Carl.
Mr. Norton—
Please tell us that you are not serious in your criticism of my comment. If you were, then I suggest you have a couple of shots of vodka to wash down the tranquilizer, then read what I said again. If you still think I was “demonizing commies.” I’m afraid all hope is lost
Thank you so much for posting all the verses!
Perfect song for the Forth of July
I meant Fourth of course
I’m not sure why Mr Stewart cloaks his irony in a racially-directed paragraph, but a little less personal attack would be appreciated. I think Mr. Norton may be as confused about the direction and intent of Mr. Stewart’s comment as I was.
Two ad hominem comments about me in less than a week by Stephen Cohen and I don’t even know the guy. But, if he is confused about my comment, I can recommend a course offering by Berkshire Community College identified as ESL 102.
This land was NOT made for you and me.