Composer

:

Woody Guthrie

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Song

Average_duration

:

3:24

"This Land Is Your Land" is a folk song composed by Woody Guthrie in 1940. The song was originally titled "God Blessed America" but was later changed to its current title. The song was written as a response to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America," which Guthrie felt was too idealistic and failed to address the struggles of the working class. The song was first performed by Guthrie in 1940 but did not gain widespread popularity until the 1960s when it became an anthem for the civil rights movement. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen. The song consists of six verses, each describing a different aspect of the American landscape and the people who inhabit it. The first verse begins with the iconic line, "This land is your land, this land is my land," and goes on to describe the beauty of the land and the diversity of its people. The second verse describes the struggles of the working class and the need for social justice. The third verse describes the natural resources of the land and the need to protect them. The fourth verse describes the beauty of the land and the need to appreciate it. The fifth verse describes the freedom of the American people and the need to protect it. The final verse returns to the theme of unity, with the line, "On the back side it didn't say nothing, this land was made for you and me." The song is characterized by its simple melody and lyrics, which make it easy to sing and remember. The song's message of unity and social justice has made it a popular anthem for various social movements throughout the years.

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