This is the national anthem we actually know the words to. Americans sing it at school and summer camp; Bruce Springsteen sang it at President Obama's inauguration. Yet Woody Guthrie's song was once branded anti-American, even Communist.
Pete Seeger tells Kurt Andersen how Guthrie wrote it as a sarcastic response to "God Bless America," and soul singer Sharon Jones explains what the song means to her as a descendant of slaves. Leftist, environmentalist, nationalist, or patriotic — "This Land" allows everyone to sing it their way. We find out why some controversial lines about private property disappeared, and hear the song in Swedish, Hebrew, and Ojibwa.
→ More “Land:” Kurt visits Pete Seeger at home and Sharon Jones describes the special meaning the lyrics hold for her — all on our American Icons feature page.
(Originally aired October 1, 2010)
This Land is Your Land
Artist: Woody GuthrieAlbum: This Land is Your Land: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1Label: Smithsonian Folkways RecordingsPurchase: AmazonThis Land is Your Land
Artist: Sharon Jones & the Dap KingsAlbum: NaturallyLabel: Daptone RecordsPurchase: AmazonDet har er ditt land
Artist: Mikael WieheAlbum: En Sang til ModetLabel: EMISong to Woody
Artist: Bob DylanAlbum: Bob DylanLabel: ColumbiaPurchase: AmazonZohiartzenu
Artist: The TavernersAlbum: UnknownLabel: UnknownGuests:
Jorge Arevalo, Ed Cray, Nora Guthrie, Sharon Jones, Pete Seeger, Ed Shannon, Shay Tochner and Mikael WieheProduced by:
Pejk MalinovskiEditors:
Emily Botein





Comments [8]
Hi Jean --
Sorry for the delay -- and sorry to hear you couldn't find the video. If you follow the link at the end of the sentence ("feature page"), it'll take you to a page with lots of bonus material, including the video at the bottom. But here's a link directly to that video:
http://youtu.be/qK6KOzv-WIc
Hope you enjoy.
It's great to hear a piece on this great song. Thanks. But I'm not sure that Woody didn't say who "you and me" is ... note the verse that often gets left out (but that Arlo Guthrie sings):
In the squares of the city, In the shadow of a steeple;
By the relief office, I'd seen my people.
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking,
Is this land made for you and me?
Also there's that bit about the private property sign. Let's sing the *whole* song.
I enjoyed this thoughtful piece about a song and a songwriter whose significance in American and world culture continues to evolve.
When I hear clips from the performance by Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen et al celebrating President Obama's inauguration, I am moved by the voice of Tao Rodriguez, Pete's grandson, which cuts through and rings out above the rest. It disappoints me that his presence there is seldom mentioned. He stepped in as a teenager to support his grandpa when Pete's physical voice began to fail. He has grown into a musician of great power and charisma, who merits wider recognition.
Today's stories were fantastic--360 is a wonderful program. Always look forward to it. How do we obtain the music list for today's program? Especially the music following Anne Lamott's interview. Thank you. Coreene
A nice piece. Fascinating insights into Woody and "This Land". Pete Seeger is in the shadows, but is a giant who will be celebrated...after he's left us.
You guys touch my heart!
Kurt tried to challenge the Israeli musician about his lyrics, but didn't follow-up well. Twenty percent of Israeli CITIZENS are not Jewish. Most all speak Hebrew, and will hear his song, as they do the state's national anthem, as choosing to exclude them. To say that is not political is faux naive.
makin' me craaaazy...trying to find of visit to Pete Seeger's home, keep getting bounced around to pages, but no video! what gives?
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.