This Land Is Your Land
Tanglewood Festival Chorus Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams Lyrics
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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 song "This Land Is Your Land" is an American folk song that was written and composed by Woody Guthrie in 1940. The song was initially written in response to “God Bless America,” a song composed by Irving Berlin, which Guthrie felt was unrealistic and posed false portrayals of the United States. The chorus lyrics, “This land was made for you and me,” points to the message of inclusivity despite social or economic status.
The first verse sets the scene of Americans from all states – from California to New York, all enjoying and possessing the country together. The second verse tells the story of the singer walking a highway and admiring the beautiful scenery of the Golden Valley with endless skyway, which he felt was a blessing of God. The third verse speaks of the American dream of traveling throughout the country, from the diamond deserts to the wheat fields, and deserting the wall messages that read "Private Property.” The fourth verse tells a story of a peaceful walking experience with the rays of the sun shining and fog lifting. The last verse, however, has a different tone. The singer sees the people struggling with poverty and hunger in relief offices and wonders if America was a blessed land for them too.
Line by Line Meaning
This land is your land, this land is my land
This beautiful country belongs to all of us, regardless of where we come from or what our backgrounds are.
From [the] California to the [Staten] New York Island,
From the west coast to the east coast, this land is full of diverse people and beautiful landscapes for all to explore.
From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf stream waters,
From the tall, majestic trees of the Redwood Forest to the peaceful waters of the Gulf Stream, nature in all its forms can be found and enjoyed here.
[God blessed America for me.]
This land is a blessing from a higher power, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to live and thrive here.
As I went walking that ribbon of highway
As I journeyed down the long stretches of road that connect us all, I was struck by the vastness and beauty of this land.
And saw above me that endless skyway,
Looking up at the endless expanse of sky above me, I was reminded of the limitless possibilities that exist in this great nation.
And saw below me the golden valley, I said:
As I looked down at the beautiful valley below, I couldn't help but be in awe of the natural wonders that can be found in this land.
[God blessed America for me.]
I am humbled by the blessings that I have received by living in this great country.
I roamed and rambled and followed my footsteps
As I journeyed through the vast expanses of this land, I was filled with a sense of freedom and possibility.
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts,
Even in the harshest and most seemingly inhospitable environments, there is beauty to be found in the natural world of this land.
And all around me , a voice was sounding:
Everywhere I go in this land, I hear the voices of its people and the sounds of nature, reminding me of the richness and diversity of this great country.
[God blessed America for me.]
I am grateful to be living in a land that is so clearly blessed by a higher power.
Was a high wall there that tried to stop me
Although there are obstacles that can stop our progress, we are a resilient and determined people who will always find a way to overcome them.
A sign was painted said: Private Property,
Despite the fact that some of this land is owned by private citizens, we all have a right to explore and appreciate its beauty and wonder.
But on the back side it didn't say nothing
Behind that sign, there is often a hidden world of natural beauty and richness that is available for all to enjoy, regardless of ownership.
[God blessed America for me.]
I am blessed to be living in a land filled with so much natural beauty and wonder.
When the sun come shining, then I was strolling
Even in the brightest and most beautiful moments, we must take time to appreciate the true wonders of this land.
In wheat fields waving and dust clouds rolling;
The natural beauty of our lands is not limited to its stunning landscapes, but can also be found in the life that grows and flourishes here.
The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting:
Even in the most uncertain and difficult times, the voices of our people carry through like a guiding light, leading us towards a better future.
[God blessed America for me.]
As I journey through this land, I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am to be living in such a beautiful and diverse country.
One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple
Even in the most sacred and spiritual spaces, the natural beauty of this land shines through, reminding us of the true meaning of life and humanity.
By the Relief Office I saw my people
In the midst of great struggle and uncertainty, we are all united by our common humanity and our desire to build a better future for ourselves and our families.
As they stood hungry, I stood there wondering if
Despite the incredible beauty and richness of this land, we must still confront the harsh realities of inequality and injustice that continue to plague us.
[God blessed America for me.]
Even in the darkest and most uncertain moments, I know that this land has been blessed by the grace of a higher power, and that together we will find a way to overcome our struggles and create a brighter future for all.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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