Pete Seeger — joined by Bruce Springsteen – Sings ‘This Land is Your Land’ at Inaugural Concert, Jan. 18, 2009
I have to admit, having had the privilege of meeting Pete and getting to know him 20-odd years ago, and knowing his history, this was definitely a Proud Moment to see.
By Thomas Cleaver / The Rag Blog / January 19, 2008
To paraphrase the President-elect on Election night:
“For those who wonder which side won the election of 2008, Pete Seeger leading more than 100,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial in singing ALL the verses of This Land Is Your Land (including the “subversive” ones) is your answer!”
I have to admit, having had the privilege of meeting Pete and getting to know him 20-odd years ago, and knowing his history, this was definitely a Proud Moment to see. In fact, as I was watching the free broadcast on HBO of the entire concert (which continues tonight for those with cable or satellite TV), this was the moment that brought genuine tears to my eyes.
321 years of my family’s involvement in the progressive cause of America (counting from 1688 when my ancestor led the first group of Europeans anywhere to make the non-ownership of slaves a condition of membership in their community, the Germantown Quakers), including participation in the battle that saved the Revolution (crossing the Delaware on Christmas Eve 1776 and taking Trenton Barracks) and the fight within the battle that saved the Union (Little Round Top at Gettysburg), is about to be realized on this coming Tuesday morning. I think I am on pretty strong ground when I say that Peter Klebber of the Germantown Meeting, Isaac Cleaver of the Pennsylvania Militia, and Henry Clay Thomas of the 10th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry are pretty damned proud of us all right now.
Thank you for posting this. It’s ironic that HBO won’t let us see a performance of “This Land Is Your Land.” What would Woody say?
That comment was removed accidentally. It was mine. Was just going to say: “What would Woody have said about any of this? The whole ball of wax?”
Thorne
Woody will remain a legend; way ahead of his time in many ways – glad you posted this.
Hi I’m looking for information about the cast of Earl Robinson’s audio/drama/ musical/ Cantata “The Lonesome Train.
I do know Earl (I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night) Robinson wrote the music, Millard Lampell, of the Almanac Singers, wrote the words, Burl Ives, still a lefty, was the principle singer/actor and Pvt. Peter Seeger played banjo. it was recorded in 1944.
Any more info, or any leads would be much appreciated.
Walker