Saturday 14 July 2012

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…
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10 comments:

  1. ArtyZen14 July 2012 at 09:56

    Good stuff, Gaynor. And it's no time now for complacency and I hope we inspire our children to help keep up the protests against the injustices that are still so 'out there'.
    Axx

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    1. GaynorB14 July 2012 at 16:39

      I couldn't agree more, Annie. I hope that I haven't laid down the mantle of protes1 yet!

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  2. The Broad14 July 2012 at 10:55

    What a lovely tribute to a man who wrote such iconic songs that they are still relevant and resonate today. I feel so fortunate to have seen the young Bob Dylan in the 60's and to have been part of a culture that could still see Seeger in concert. It seems that 'the more things change, the more they stay the same' -- and that includes the good and the bad!

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    1. GaynorB14 July 2012 at 16:54

      Thanks, Broad.

      Exactly, Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose - well it is le quatorze juillet after all!

      I would love to have seen Dylan in the 60's. Pete Seeger asked Billy Bragg to write another verse for the Internationale. You can find it via this link.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BIvqbyku5g
      As I said this transcends a political viewpoint.

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  3. Diane14 July 2012 at 16:22

    I have never heard of him but once I mentioned the name to Nigel he knew the whole story. He is a 60's music fan and a 60's encyclopaedia! have a good weekend Diane

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    1. GaynorB14 July 2012 at 16:56

      Hi Diane,

      Next time we meet I'll play you some Woody Guthrie as I know your internet isn't up to the download from Youtube.

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  4. Janice14 July 2012 at 18:49

    I've love Woody Guthrie and the whole dustbowl blues legacy that Dylan and others like Phil Ochs took on. Billy Bragg is a very suitable heir to the Guthrie throne... it was great that the family gave him the rights to all the Guthrie library, it means that another generation will be able to access some of those great songs. Do you know whatever happened to his son Arlo ? A great post Gaynor, I have really enjoyed remembering all this. J.

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    1. GaynorB15 July 2012 at 08:07

      Thanks, Janice. I enjoyed it too. Tim who is away on business this week emailed to say it brought a tear to his eye. Our influences before we met 33 years ago were very different. I'm sure he still doesn't understand why I think and do the things I do. I've always been fairly political whereas he just works really hard and likes a quiet life.

      I've found this website about Arlo Guthrie which made interesting reading
      http://www.arlo.net/bio.shtml

      Hope mark arrived safely and is beginning the list of jobs that I'm sure you've got lined up!
      Gaynorx

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  5. betty-NZ15 July 2012 at 00:33

    Great post--it brought back a lot of memories.

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    1. GaynorB15 July 2012 at 07:57

      Hi Betty,
      Thanks for your comment.
      I did cheat a bit this week! I’d already posted something about my son heading east to Japan when I remembered the centenary of Woody’s birth. The significance was in the day so I posted again.
      I promise not to do it again and in life it is sometimes easier to seek forgiveness than permission :o)
      I love your blog and read so many interesting things.
      Very best wishes
      Gaynor

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