I was reading about "This Land Is Your Land" which was reportedly written by Guthrie as a response to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" which he thought was "unrealistic." But looking at the lyrics I don't understand where his issue was, or what sentiments are contained therein that he didn't concur with in "This Land Is Your Land."
Can someone explain exactly what his issue was? Is "This Land Is Your Land" meant to be taken sarcastically? I'm hoping that by understanding the disagreement I can better understand the mood and protest of folk singers in general at the time.
Woodie Guthrie had strong political leanings toward the left. It is likely he would have viewed god bless america in a bad light, since it was strongly nationalistic and brought up religion, two things that Guthrie opposed. "This land is your land" was a counter to it and it brings up Guthrie's own view points on politics, Namely it talks of collectivism and equal ownership over America. Originally it also had the lines:
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?
Which were removed for being too openly left wing.
Are you reading the words to This Land is Your Land or just going from memory? Many times when you hear kids sing this song they have edited out the more anti-capitalist and anti-religious parts. Here's the text, check out the last three paragraphs.
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.