This land is your land ...

Woody Guthrie was born 100 years ago today. As a tribute I’ve found a clip …

Growing up I was greatly influenced by him and others who were inspired to do what they did because of him and his friend and contemporary Pete Seeger. He was one of the inspirations for the young Robert Zimmerman to become Bob Dylan. Bruce Springsteen pays tribute to them both in the Seeger Sessions.

Sadly Woody developed Huntington’s Chorea and died aged 55. His daughter has given Billy Bragg access to his writings and lyrics some of which he has set to music.

Some of the lyrics are as relevant today as they were 70 years ago when they were first written.

My strong sense of social justice, which goes way beyond any particular political viewpoint, began at home with my parents, and as we sang folk and protest songs at my chapel youth club. Religion wasn’t a big part of this and we were all very earnest and wanted to change the world. We would change the words of ‘This land’ to the places in Wales, although I think the places are symbolic and we can all identify with them.

I would like to think that we’ve all done something to change just a little bit of our world for the better…