Labour & Pop Culture: This Land is Your Land

This week’s installment of Labour & Pop Culture is “This Land is Your Land” written by Woodie Guthrie. Most people are familiar with the first three verses of the song (it is a standard of school and camp sing-alongs). 

The real meat of the song is in the last verses which Guthrie didn’t record, possibly because he feared the communist witch-hunt lead by Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s.

They talk about how the institution of private property undermines the ability of average American’s to enjoy the country that is their birthright.

As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me.

And they draw attention to the grinding poverty that many Americans experience due to the operation of a capitalist economy.

In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
By the relief office I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me?

The prevalence of gated communities, food banks, urban ghettos, and xenophobia that is evident in the United States today suggests progress (for the many) has been slow and uneven. I chose Bruce Springsteen’s cover of the song because he sings the less common verses (including the more critical ones).



This land is your land This land is my land
From California to the New York island;
From the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and Me.

As I was walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway:
I saw below me that golden valley:
This land was made for you and me.

I've roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
And all around me a voice was sounding:
This land was made for you and me.

When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting:
This land was made for you and me.

As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me.

In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
By the relief office I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me?

Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.

-- Bob Barnetson