This Land Is Your Land

This page includes a lyric video, history, sheet music, and other resources for the song “This Land Is Your Land.” Enjoy!

Enjoy this You Tube video, performed by Lee Greenwood, with lyrics for “This Land Is Your Land.”

History of “This Land Is Your Land”

Words and Music by Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Guthrie (1912-1967), Published in 1940

Woodie Guthrie (1912-1967)

Woody Guthrie is an American folk singer who wrote this song in response to the popular song, “God Bless America” — which Woody felt ignored the plight of the poor in the U.S. He had spent much of the 1930s traveling with migrant workers and learning their stories during the Great Depression. Woody originally wrote his song in 1940 with the words “God blessed America for me” (a line which he ended up changing to “this land was made for you and me”). Apparently, he forgot about the song for a time and did not record it until 1944. The song was published the following year in a small booklet of 10 songs and was later copyrighted in 1951.

Woody’s tune is very similar to the melody of a Baptist gospel hymn called “Oh, My Loving Brother,” but it is not known if he was familiar with the hymn. Two of Woody’s verses were omitted from the published versions, possibly because they were considered less optimistic than the rest of the song:

“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.

“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
This land was made for you and me.”

Over time, Woody’s song has grown in popularity as various artists like Boy Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Bruce Springsteen have all recorded their own versions. Indeed, “This Land Is Your Land” has stood the test of time to earn its place as one of America’s most beloved folk songs – often being sung during patriotic events.

You can learn more about the life of Woodie Guthrie at Wikipedia.

Additional Resources for “This Land Is Your Land”:

Sheet Music (PDF Compliments of Dave’s Piano Lessons.com)

Guitar Chords (Links to Ultimate Guitar)

Visit the Library of Congress and Wikipedia for more on this song.

See our Hymn of the Week page for a list of the hymns that are included on this site.

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