This Land Is Your Land
Pete Seeger (Family) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From [the] California to the [Staten] New York Island,
From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf stream waters,
[God blessed America for me.]
As I went walking that ribbon of highway
And saw above me that endless skyway,
And saw below me the golden valley, I said:
[God blessed America for me.]
I roamed and rambled and followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts,
And all around me , a voice was sounding:
[God blessed America for me.]
Was a high wall there that tried to stop me
A sign was painted said: Private Property,
But on the back side it didn't say nothing
[God blessed America for me.]
When the sun come shining, then I was strolling
In wheat fields waving and dust clouds rolling;
The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting:
[God blessed America for me.]
One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple
By the Relief Office I saw my people
As they stood hungry, I stood there wondering if
[God blessed America for me.]
The lyrics to Pete Seeger's song "This Land Is Your Land" are a celebration of America's natural beauty and the people who inhabit it, regardless of class, race, or status. The opening lines of the song suggest that the land belongs to everyone and are an invitation to join in appreciation of the vastness of America. The song takes the listener through different regions of the country from California to New York, the Redwood Forest to the Gulf stream waters, and the diamond deserts of the southwest, highlighting the natural beauty of the country while affirming the idea that it belongs to all, not just the privileged few.
In the third stanza, the lyrics take a political turn as Seeger challenges the idea of private property by relating an encounter he had with a high wall and a sign that said "Private Property." He notes that on the backside, it didn't say anything and seems to suggest that perhaps ownership of the land is not so black and white, that there are gray areas where people may have a claim to a place even if the law doesn't recognize it. In the final stanza, Seeger delves deeper into this theme, describing a moment when he saw people waiting in line at a relief office, hungry and in need. The lyrics are a reminder that America is not just about the beauty of its land and the freedom it offers but also about the struggles that many people face in their daily lives.
Line by Line Meaning
This land is your land, this land is my land
The vastness of America belongs to every citizen of the country, regardless of race or economic standing.
From California to the New York Island
The song covers the width of the United States, spanning from the West Coast to the East Coast.
From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf stream waters
The song covers the natural beauty of America, from the forests of California to the Gulf of Mexico.
God blessed America for me.
The author believes that America is a blessed country, and feels personally connected to it.
As I went walking that ribbon of highway
The author takes walks on America's many highways, reflecting on the country's vast landscape.
And saw above me that endless skyway,
Looking up at the sky, the author is reminded of how vast and endless America truly is.
And saw below me the golden valley, I said:
The beauty of America's golden valleys leave a strong impression on the author, which he expresses through the song.
I roamed and rambled and followed my footsteps
The author is free to wander and explore America without fear of persecution, and takes advantage of the opportunity to see all that the country has to offer.
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts,
The author explores the deserts of America, which shimmer like diamonds in the sunshine.
And all around me, a voice was sounding:
The author feels inspired by voices of fellow Americans, who share his love for their native country.
Was a high wall there that tried to stop me
Despite the author's freedom to roam America, there are times when he has encountered obstacles such as walls that prevent him from exploring further.
A sign was painted said: Private Property,
This line is a direct criticism of landowners who would try to keep Americans from accessing public land by claiming it's their own private property.
But on the back side it didn't say nothing
The landowner's sign states that the land is private property, but it does not say why or what will happen to someone who tries to cross over.
When the sun come shining, then I was strolling
The author walks in the sunlight, enjoying the simple pleasures of exploration and discovery.
In wheat fields waving and dust clouds rolling;
The author walks through waving wheat fields, enjoying the sight of dust clouds rolling across the horizon.
The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting:
The natural sounds of America, whether they be birds or insects, lift the author's spirits and provide a sense of harmony with the land.
One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple
The author comes across a church and, one sunny day, walks past it.
By the Relief Office I saw my people
The author witnesses his fellow citizens, gathered around a Relief Office that provides assistance to the poor and struggling.
As they stood hungry, I stood there wondering if
Seeing the suffering of his fellow Americans, the author reflects on the fact that not everyone in America is as blessed as he is.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@drmarx48
Was a big high wall there that tried to stop me,
Was a great big sign that said, "Private Property,"
But on the other side, it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me.
Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking my freedom highway,
Nobody living can make me turn back,
This land was made for you and me.
@eddie1917o
Thanks comrade. As Brecht wrote:
There are men who struggle for a day and they are good.
There are men who struggle for a year and they are better.
There are men who struggle many years, and they are better still.
But there are those who struggle all their lives:
These are the indispensable ones.
Thanks Petw and Woody.
@TheJoowong
What a performance!
A shining moment at the Lincoln Memorial.
As I went walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was made for you and me
Chorus
This land is your land
This land is my land
From California to the New York island
From the Redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
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.
Chorus
In the squares of the city
By the shadow of the steeple
By the Relief Office
I saw my people
As they stood there hungry
I stood there whispering
This land was made for you and me?
A great high wall there tried to stop me
A great big sign there said "Private Property"
But on the other side it didn't say nothing
That side was made for you and me.
Chorus
Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking on freedom highway
Nobody living can make me turn back
This land was made for you and me
Chorus
(Last verse not sung)
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.
@11222stan
This Land Is Your Land
Words and Music by Woody Guthrie
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.
@tomachanaud8211
I. Met Pete Seeger When I was a little girl. He came to my school. And I had met him at the door and I let in. He had come to talk to the kids about littering. He sang, and even got me to sing. I was six years old , and he told me that he believed that one voice singing out could change the world. I never forgot him. He was a voice that certainly did change the world! A wonderful man! An inspiration!
-Tomalyn Sexton
@loosie5224
😀
@NYSTEAPRES
When my daughter was in first grade, her school played a "patriotic tune" every morning over the PA system. I introduced her to this song, asked her if they ever played it, and discussed the backstory. She approached the Principal and asked to have it added to the "patriotic list" Unwittingly the Principal agreed. In 2018, as a college student, she was leading a "social advocacy DACA support" event on the streets of NYC, handed out words to the song and led members of a whole new generation in singing this with enthusiasm. Plant the seeds early and often!
@mjremy2605
Excellent parenting job! Model parent, thank you for raising the Right Stuff!
@robertquietphotographer
Great! Well done!
@marcschneider4845
Probably banned in Florida today.
@caroltubeyou
@@philipo99dutton that’s not sharing a prejudice. It’s reminding their offspring of the beautiful nation we live in from the standpoint of nature. It’s a celebration. I hear no politician’s voice in this, no political party. No religious message. No black or white or brown or yellow… this country’s future can only be improved upon when we the people take ownership, and protect the land and take care of each other.
@caroltubeyou
@@philipdutton785 I still hear nothing but honesty there. No politics.
@DonB.-Mulefivefive
The world has gone more silent with the absence of Pete Seeger.
We miss you Pete.
More than words will ever convey.
🕯🕯
@zennzibl
so its our turn to demand for a peaceful world, for home and food for evryone..