In the early to mid '90s, we lived in Pampa Texas, which is the town where Woody Guthrie began his musical journey, as we liked to say. I was president of the "Pampa's Tribute to Woody Guthrie" 501.c.3, which holds an annual event in the fall, with such artists as Pete Seeger (in 2003) and the Vanaver Caravan (in 2004), dealing with the role of Woody Guthrie and his music. Woody never graduated from Pampa High School (much to the chagrin of local officials), but he did do his own "independent study" at the public library, reading such non-high-schoolish subjects as Comparative Religions, Psychology, World Mythology and History, and other light subjects. That study surely shaped him for what he did with his life.

Hi, ealistello! All of our Icons episodes are available - and will continue to be available - free of charge on iTunes. You can also download any of the American Icons shows by clicking on the "download" button below the audio player on this website.

Thanks for listening to the show!

I am behind on my podcasts, and SO wanted to download the version of 'This Land' you offered. Guess I have to get to iTunes, pay my .99 and have at it! Great episode.

I loved hearing the versions in different languages. It reminded me of when I was a Peace Corps trainee in Bostwana and I translated "This Land is Your Land" into the local language, Setswana. My African Setswana teacher was amused and gently commented that the words sounded different than their original intention coming from a white person in Southern Africa, where whites had stolen so much land. It was a good lesson in being aware of context.

I was six years old when I first heard this song -- and it's been my favorite patriotic song ever since.

Great program. Really liked the last 1/3 which illustrates how "This Land..." has been reinterpreted by so many people all over the world. In so many ways, this song speaks to all peoples. Reminded me very much of the Bill Moyers' PBS video "Amazing Grace."

So glad I turned my radio on right in time to catch this program, this morning!

Can't WAIT for the I Love Lucy episode!

Yes, we do own this land. Regardless of how much money we have or how old we are -- we really do own 83 million acres of spectacular land, the national parks. Your interviews today show how great we feel about our joint ownership of this property.

look again, ed h! I'm listening to all 4m32s of soulful awesomeness i just downloaded...
Glad to hear that such diverse people have taken this gem and made it their own! Living in Manhattan, I must take Woody's lyrics to mean the streets and parks. I gots no land!

The program indicated that Sharon Jones' version of "This Land Is Your Land" could be downloaded this week, but it is just a 30 second excerpt. Slightly better than nothing at best, and not exactly truth in advertising.

nice lullabye--the songs, the sentiments, the cheer for your guests' courage and sharing.

Very well done. If the program had only told the story of how the song was written and then popularized by Pete Seeger, it would have been enough. But to then go on and explore how the song has been embraced and adapted by non-Americans was brilliant.

It's nice to hear that Black people have prejudices too. Don't we all. It's nice to hear a song that transcends prejudice.

So few things seem to bring us together in 2010. In this year of foreclosures and short sales, so many fellow citizens are re-thinking what "ownership" means, and what owning very many or very few objects means. Nature is the antidote -- being in nature almost makes the word "mine" disappear. And that open world-view can bring us together.

I wish the entrance to every National Park had a big sign that said, "This Land is Your Land"

I am a 54-year-old white American who also learned this song in school (and wishes it were the National Anthem). Thank you SO MUCH for introducing me to Sharon Jones and her superb rendition (I missed it in UP IN THE AIR). It is moving and powerful in and of itself, but it means so much to know that all kinds of Americans can take this song and re-interpret and share it with us, so we can truly become an "us."

I am going to continue to investigate this fine artist.

And thank you for the "American Icons" series--it may be the best work your program does.

Here's what I'd love to know about "This Land is Your Land." Was the song used on the film "Up in the Air" because it is a song about the beauty of the USA, as we were all taught in school? Or was it used in an ironic sense, because George Clooney's character is laying people off, while the song has several political verses about the common people, which most people don't know?
I loved the Malcolm X show!