Flatt and Scruggs met as members of Bill Monroe's band, the Blue Grass Boys in 1946. They both left that band early in 1948, and within a few months had formed their own group, the Foggy Mountain Boys. Scruggs' banjo style and Flatt's vocals gave them a distinctive sound that won them many fans. In 1955 they became members of the Grand Ole Opry. Many of the songs on their albums are credited to "Certain and Stacey". These were in fact written by Flatt and Scruggs and various other members of the Foggy Mountain Boys. Certain and Stacey are the maiden names of the wives of Flatt and Scruggs. Louise Certain, wife of Earl Scruggs and Gladys Stacey, wife of Lester Flatt.
Scruggs, who had always shown progressive tendencies, experimented on duets with saxophonist King Curtis and added songs by the likes of Bob Dylan to the group's repertoire. Flatt, a traditionalist, did not like these changes, and the group broke up in 1969. Following the breakup, Lester Flatt founded the Nashville Grass and Scruggs lead the Earl Scruggs Revue. Flatt died in 1979, while Scruggs continued to perform until his death in March 2012. Flatt and Scruggs were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1985
Flatt & Scruggs may be best known however as the performers of "The Ballad of Jed Clampit" the theme song from the sixties television show "The Beverly Hillbillies". Flatt & Scruggs made cameo appearances on the "The Beverly Hillbillies" as well.
This Land Is Your Land
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From redwood forrest to the gulf stream water I said this land belongs to you and me
As I went roaming that river of highway I saw above me there in the skyway
I saw below me that golden valley I said this land belongs to you and me
This land is your land...
[ banjo ]
I roamed and rambled I follow my footsteps
And all around me a voice kept saying it said this land was made for you and me
This land is your land...
[ ac.guitar ]
As the sun was shining and I was strolling
And the whitfields waving and the dust clouds rolling
As I thought of lifting a voice was saying it said this land was made for you and me
This land is your land...
The song "This Land Is Your Land" by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, is a famous folk song that is often associated with patriotism and is considered one of the most important songs for American identity. The lyrics of the song speak about the beauty and vastness of the American landscape and how it belongs to all of its citizens, regardless of their background. The song speaks about traveling across the country and seeing the different natural landmarks that make up the American landscape such as the Redwood Forest and the Golden Valley.
The song's opening lyrics, "This land is your land, and it's my land, from California to New York Island, from the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters", emphasize the idea of unity and equality. The song speaks to the inclusivity of American identity and how the land is something that belongs to everyone. As the lyrics progress, it becomes clear that the song's message is grounded in the idea that Americans need to respect and care for the environment and for each other, as we are all connected through the land that we share.
Overall, "This Land Is Your Land" is a symbol of what can be achieved when people come together and work towards a greater good, as it shows that America belongs to everyone, regardless of where they were born or how much money they have. It's a song that encourages unity, respect, and love for the land and each other.
Line by Line Meaning
This land is your land and it's my land from California to New York Island
This country belongs to each and every one of us, from the West Coast to the East Coast.
From redwood forrest to the gulf stream water I said this land belongs to you and me
Our country includes diverse landscapes, from majestic redwood forests to the warm waters of the Gulf, all of which are ours to enjoy and cherish.
As I went roaming that river of highway I saw above me there in the skyway
While traveling on the highway, I looked up and saw something wondrous in the sky.
I saw below me that golden valley I said this land belongs to you and me
Beneath me was a beautiful valley filled with promise and potential, reminding me that this land rightfully belongs to all Americans.
I roamed and rambled I follow my footsteps
I wandered aimlessly, following only my own path and instincts.
I crossed golden sands of your diamond desert
I traveled across shimmering sands in the desert filled with diamonds, realizing that these natural wonders are part of our shared heritage.
And all around me a voice kept saying it said this land was made for you and me
As I continued to journey, I heard a voice that strengthened my belief that this land was intended for everyone to experience and appreciate.
As the sun was shining and I was strolling
On a bright and sunny day, I walked leisurely through our great nation.
And the whitfields waving and the dust clouds rolling
Amidst the waving wheat fields and rolling dust clouds, I was struck by the simple beauty and wonder of our country.
As I thought of lifting a voice was saying it said this land was made for you and me
Reflecting on all that I had seen and experienced, I felt a calling to raise my voice and proclaim that this land truly belongs to all of us.
Contributed by Samantha H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ParaCHUTE
Awesome! The band sounds super tight 👌
Peter JOHN - CHELLIAH
Beautifully written n great patriotic song...
BuickDoc
I love this song, despite the fact that Woodie Guthrie was probably a Communist. He was at least a 'fellow traveler'. When in NY, he was said to have, on a daily basis, sought out the Communist newspaper, "The Daily Worker". I believe his intention was to present all land as 'our land'. I.E. communal ownership. Despite what his intentions were, I still love it. The message I get from this song is Patriotism, not Communism.
Thumblesteen
@Rutger MacDonald He wrote like three different songs condemning private property. "I Ain't Got No Home", "All You Fascists" and "Vigilante Man" are all very unambiguously in support of IWW, which at his time was a massive communist party and trade unionist syndicate.
Rutger MacDonald
ABevs1
Both of you are completely wrong. When Woody Guthrie wrote those lyrics, he said that one side of sign said private property, but when standing on the other side of the sign, it said nothing, meaning that what you were looking at outside the private property borders was public domain. Roads, sidewalks, public parks, forests, etc. Basically anything that was not private property was owned by all of us, is what was meant. He said nothing condemning the private property, or private property ownership.
ABevs
He didn't just read The Daily Worker, he actually wrote for it. He was a communist and a wonderful human being. And this song has some more communist type lyrics that most people don't sing. I actually wish more people sang these verses. Here they are.
In the squares of the city, In the shadow of a steeple;
By the relief office, I'd seen my people.
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking,
Is this land 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.