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THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND

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(Woody Guthrie)
(o):Woody Guthrie (1944)label: Smithsonian acetate
 Written (in 1940) in a reflex against Irving Berlin's over-patriotic God Bless America. Originally including some critical verses inspired by Depression-era situations. One of these verses, condemning private property, is included on this oldest existing version cut for Moses Asch. It was left out of his more common release for Decca in '52 (Guthrie's first official release was on a Folkways 10" in '51) . A good folk musician writes his new lyrics on existing melodies anyone can hum. Here Woody used the melody of gospel song (What You Gonna Do) When The World's On Fire (see there), also used by the Carter Family for their Little Darling, Pal Of Mine.
(c):Weavers (1956) , Bing Crosby (1957) , Tex Ritter (1957) , Connie Francis (1957) , Bob Dylan (1961) [live version saved up for No Direction Home (Bootleg Series Vol. 7)], New Christy Minstrels (1962) , Pete Seeger (1963) [version including the critical verses; again in 2009, the year of his 90th birthday, at the inauguration of President Obama, along with his grandson Tao Rodriguez-Seeger and Bruce Springsteen], Trini Lopez (1963) , Peter, Paul & Mary (1963) , Seekers (1965) , Country Joe McDonald (1969) , Bruce Springsteen (1980) , Sweet Honey In The Rock (1988) [with Pete Seeger & Doc Watson], Chaka Demus & Pliers (1995) [as I Love You Like Crazy], Brendan Croker (2003) [during his protest song tour and on Hubert's Hootenanny], Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings (2005) , John Mellencamp (2007) [on Song Of America], Jan Rot (2010) [as Dit Land Is Jouw Land], Neil Young & Crazy Horse (2012) ,
 
Used as theme song during democratic candidate George McGovern's presidential campaign in 1972.
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