Woody's best-known song is "This Land Is Your Land". Many of his recorded songs are archived in the Library of Congress. Such songwriters as Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Joe Strummer, and Tom Paxton have acknowledged their debt to Guthrie as an influence.
Guthrie traveled with migrant workers from Oklahoma to California and learned traditional folk and blues songs. Many of his songs are about his experiences in the Dust Bowl era during the Great Depression, earning him the nickname the "Dust Bowl Troubadour". Throughout his life, Guthrie was associated with United States communist groups although he was not a member of any.
Guthrie was married three times and fathered eight children, including American folk musician Arlo Guthrie. He is the grandfather of musician Sarah Lee Guthrie. Guthrie died from complications of Huntington's disease, a progressive genetic neurological disorder. During his later years, in spite of his illness, Guthrie served as a figurehead in the folk movement, providing inspiration to a generation of new folk musicians, including mentor relationships with Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Bob Dylan.
Woody Guthrie was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 1997.
Jesus Christ
Woody Guthrie and Will Geer Lyrics
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Hard working man and brave
He said to the rich, "Give your goods to the poor"
So they laid Jesus Christ in His grave
Yes, Jesus was a man, a carpenter by hand
His followers true and brave
One dirty coward called Judas Iscariot
Laid poor Jesus in His grave
He went to the preacher, He went to the sheriff
Told them all the same
"Sell all of your jewelry and give it to the poor"
So they laid Jesus Christ in His grave
When Jesus come to town, all the working folks around
Believed what he did say
The bankers and the preachers, they nailed Him on the cross
And they laid Jesus Christ in his grave
And the working people followed him around
Singing and shouting gay
But the cops and soldiers nailed him in the air
And they laid Jesus Christ in his grave
Well the people held their breath when they heard about his death
Everybody wondered why
It was the landlord and the soldiers that they hired
To nail Jesus Christ in the sky
This song was made in New York City
Of rich man and preachers, and slaves
If Jesus was to preach like He preached in Galillee
They would lay Jesus Christ in His grave
Yes, Jesus was a man and a carpenter by hand
His followers true and brave
One dirty coward called Judas Iscariot
As laid poor Jesus in His grave
The lyrics to Woody Guthrie and Will Geer's song "Jesus Christ" depict Jesus as a hard-working and brave man who traveled through the land preaching to the poor and calling on the rich and powerful to give their wealth to those in need. The lyrics also describe how Jesus was betrayed by one of his followers, Judas Iscariot, and how the bankers and preachers, threatened by his teachings, had him crucified. The song portrays Jesus as a champion of the working class and a martyr for their cause.
The lyrics of "Jesus Christ" reflect Guthrie's socialist and humanist beliefs. Guthrie saw Jesus as a symbol of hope for the poor and oppressed, and the song is a passionate critique of the wealthy and powerful who exploit the poor and vulnerable. The song's uncompromising message and its passionate delivery by Guthrie and Geer made it an anthem of the American left in the 1940s and 50s.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus Christ was a man that traveled through the land
Jesus was a man who journeyed across the land
Hard working man and brave
He was a courageous and hardworking man
He said to the rich, "Give your goods to the poor"
He told the rich to donate their possessions to those in need
So they laid Jesus Christ in His grave
As a result, Jesus was buried
Yes, Jesus was a man, a carpenter by hand
Jesus was a carpenter who worked with his hands
His followers true and brave
His loyal followers were brave and unwavering
One dirty coward called Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was a treacherous coward
Laid poor Jesus in His grave
Judas betrayed Jesus, leading to his burial
He went to the preacher, He went to the sheriff
Jesus spoke to religious and law enforcement figures
Told them all the same
And gave them all the same message
"Sell all of your jewelry and give it to the poor"
"Sell your valuables and give the profits to the impoverished"
So they laid Jesus Christ in His grave
However, Jesus' teachings led to his eventual death
When Jesus come to town, all the working folks around
When Jesus visited towns, the hardworking people believed him
Believed what he did say
They had faith in his words
The bankers and the preachers, they nailed Him on the cross
However, the wealthy and religious leaders crucified him
And they laid Jesus Christ in his grave
Which resulted in his burial
And the working people followed him around
Nonetheless, the working class continued to support him
Singing and shouting gay
Expressing their enthusiasm loudly and joyfully
But the cops and soldiers nailed him in the air
Despite this support, law enforcement crucified him
And they laid Jesus Christ in his grave
Resulting in his burial
Well the people held their breath when they heard about his death
People were shocked and saddened by his death
Everybody wondered why
They were left feeling puzzled and confused
It was the landlord and the soldiers that they hired
The culpable were the wealthy and soldiers they hired
To nail Jesus Christ in the sky
Who were responsible for his crucifixion
This song was made in New York City
The song originated in New York City
Of rich man and preachers, and slaves
About the divide between the rich and influential and the oppressed
If Jesus was to preach like He preached in Galilee
If Jesus were to preach as he had in Galilee
They would lay Jesus Christ in His grave
He would meet a similar fate and be buried
Yes, Jesus was a man and a carpenter by hand
Jesus was a manual laborer
His followers true and brave
His comrades remained true and bold
One dirty coward called Judas Iscariot
Except for Judas, who acted dishonorably
As laid poor Jesus in His grave
And played a role in Jesus' burial
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: WOODY GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind