SHarmon
6 August 2004, 06:55
I just heard Art Alexakis's remake of Woody Guthrie’s "This Land" and while I am thrilled that Art recorded it, I was very disappointed that the remake didn't include what I think are the most poignant words Woody wrote.
I happen to be a student of Woody Guthrie as well as a daughter of those "Oklahoma Hills" where he was born, and I don't want the true spirit of this beautiful protest song to get destroyed by political correctness.
The words that have been left out are these:
As I was walkin' - I saw a sign there
And that sign said 'private property'
But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!
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
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.
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
Considering the state of the younger generations in America, I think these words mean just as much today as they ever did.
Sarah Harmon
PS - These are verses that people made up later, but sometimes I feel this way, too...
This land is their land,
It isn't our land,
From the Wall Street office
To the Cadillac car-land;
From the plush apartments
To the Hollywood starland,
This land is not for you and me.
If this is our land,
You'd never know it,
So take your bullshit
And kindly stow it,
Let's get together
And overthrow it,
Then this land will be for you and me.
I happen to be a student of Woody Guthrie as well as a daughter of those "Oklahoma Hills" where he was born, and I don't want the true spirit of this beautiful protest song to get destroyed by political correctness.
The words that have been left out are these:
As I was walkin' - I saw a sign there
And that sign said 'private property'
But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!
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
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.
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
Considering the state of the younger generations in America, I think these words mean just as much today as they ever did.
Sarah Harmon
PS - These are verses that people made up later, but sometimes I feel this way, too...
This land is their land,
It isn't our land,
From the Wall Street office
To the Cadillac car-land;
From the plush apartments
To the Hollywood starland,
This land is not for you and me.
If this is our land,
You'd never know it,
So take your bullshit
And kindly stow it,
Let's get together
And overthrow it,
Then this land will be for you and me.