This Land Is Your Land
Bernie Sanders & Thirty Vermont Artists Lyrics


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This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to New York Island,
From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf stream waters,
This land was made for you and me.

Bernie: That it is vitally important for those of us who hold different views to be able to engage in a civil discourse.

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

Bernie: But it is harder but not less important for us to try to communicate with those who do not agree with us on every issue.

I roamed and rambled and 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.

Bernie: Do unto others what you would have them do to you. That is the golden rule and it is not very complicated.

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.

Bernie: Treating all people, no matter their race, their color, their stature in life with respect and dignity.

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 sign was made for you and me.

Bernie: In the United States of America today there is massive injustice in terms of income and wealth inequality

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?

Bernie: Understand that there is no justice when so few have so much and so many have so little

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.

Bernie: The top one tenth of one percent today owns almost as much wealth as the bottom ninety percent

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to New York Island,
From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf stream waters,
This land was made for you and me.
This land was made for you and me.
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.

Overall Meaning

The song "This Land Is Your Land" is a classic American folk song originally written by Woody Guthrie in 1940. Bernie Sanders & Thirty Vermont Artists created their own version in 1987 to bring attention to the importance of unity and the need for civil discourse. The song is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of America, emphasizing that the land belongs to all its citizens.


The first verse establishes the idea that America is a land made for everyone, regardless of where they come from. It mentions specific locations from coast to coast, highlighting the vast expanse of the country. This land is meant to bring people together rather than to divide them. In the following verses, Woody Guthrie sings about his personal experiences traveling across the country, seeing the natural beauty, and meeting people from different walks of life. He emphasizes that this land belongs to everyone, even those who are hungry and homeless, who often befall hard times.


Sanders uses the song's lyrics to underscore the value of communication between people who may not necessarily have similar beliefs, to appeal for empathy towards the less privileged and to decry income inequalities that tarnish the sense of unity that informs the song. More than anything, the song highlights the need for equal opportunities, dignity and respect for all.


Line by Line Meaning

This land is your land, this land is my land
Everyone has a stake in this land, and we should work to make it better for everyone.


From California to New York Island,
This land extends from coast to coast and includes all of us.


From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf stream waters,
The varied natural landscapes of this land belong to all of us.


This land was made for you and me.
This land was created for everyone to use and enjoy together.


As I went walking that ribbon of highway
As I walked along the road, I reflected on the meaning of our journey together.


And saw above me that endless skyway,
I looked up and saw the vastness of our country and its possibilities.


And saw below me the golden valley,
I saw the land and the resources that make it prosperous.


This land was made for you and me.
Together, we have the responsibility to care for and share in the bounty of this land.


I roamed and rambled and followed my footsteps
I wandered aimlessly and took time to reflect on my life.


To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts,
I explored the beauty of the desert landscape and its value to our country.


And all around me, a voice was sounding:
I heard a message of hope and unity coming from the land itself.


This land was made for you and me.
Together, we must care for and protect our country's natural beauty and resources.


When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
As I enjoyed a beautiful day, I thought of how we can work together to make the world a better place.


And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
I looked out at the fields and realized how much we rely on each other to make our country thrive.


As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting:
In the midst of uncertainty, we must hold onto our shared values and goals.


This land was made for you and me.
We must all work together to protect and care for our country's natural resources and beauty.


As I went walking I saw a sign there
I noticed a sign and wondered how all people could truly share in the wealth of our country.


And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
Even though there are barriers and obstacles for some people, we must work to overcome them.


But on the other side it didn't say nothing,
I wondered why some people don't have access to the same opportunities and resources as others do.


That sign was made for you and me.
We need to recognize and challenge the systemic inequality and barriers that limit people's access to resources and opportunity.


In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
I witnessed people struggling for basic needs in the shadow of a symbol of hope and faith.


By the relief office I seen my people;
I encountered people in need and wondered what can be done to help them.


As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
I faced the reality of hunger and poverty and was at a loss for how to help in this struggle.


Is this land made for you and me?
I questioned whether our country truly values all people and their basic needs.


Nobody living can ever stop me,
I am determined to work towards a more just and equal society.


As I go walking that freedom highway;
I am committed to fighting for a world where everyone can be free to live their lives to the fullest.


Nobody living can ever make me turn back
I am not afraid to resist the forces of injustice and push for a more equitable country.


This land was made for you and me.
We must come together to ensure that everyone has the chance to enjoy the opportunities and resources that our country offers.




Contributed by Tyler E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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