This Land Is Your Land

This is a famous folk song.

A man named Woody Guthrie wrote it. He wrote the words in 1940. He used a tune from a family band.

The song says the land is for everyone. It says it is for you and me. Many people sing this song today. Some singers even change the words. They make it about their own home. It is a song that people love to share.

"This Land Is Your Land" is a famous American folk song.

Woody Guthrie wrote the lyrics in 1940. He wrote them in a hotel in New York. The song uses a melody from a group called the Carter Family.

Guthrie wrote the song to respond to another song. He wanted to show that the land belongs to everyone. He wrote, "This land was made for you and me."

Some versions of the song are different. Guthrie wrote verses about hard times and hunger. These verses talk about people being poor. Many people do not sing these parts in schools. Other singers have changed the words to fit new places. A group called The Travellers made a version about Canada. Many famous artists have sung it too. Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen have performed it. It is even played at big events like presidential inaugurations. People love this song because it carries a strong message. It is about fairness and the beauty of the land.

This song book shows how the song is shared.

"This Land Is Your Land" is a famous American folk song.

It is a song that many people cherish. It carries a message about the beauty of the land. It also speaks about fairness for everyone. The song says the land belongs to all people. This idea is found in the famous line, "This land was made for you and me." People sing it to feel connected to their country. It is a song that helps people share their feelings.

Woody Guthrie wrote the lyrics in 1940. He wrote them in his room at the Hanover House hotel. This hotel was on 43rd Street in New York City.

The song uses a special melody. This melody comes from a song called "When the World's on Fire." That tune was played by a group known as the Carter Family. Guthrie used a new way to structure the music. He repeated the first part of the melody for the third line. This made his version unique from the older tunes.

History shows how the song has changed over time. Guthrie wrote the first version in February 1940. He actually forgot about the song for five years. In 1944, he made a different version of the song. This version left out some verses that were critical of the United States. During World War II, Guthrie's views on the world changed. He began to support the U.S. more strongly in Europe. He wanted his music to reflect these new ideas.

There are many important facts about the song's success. In 1989, a recording was put into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

In 2002, the Library of Congress added it to the National Recording Registry. This is a list of very important recordings. The song is also very high on lists of great music. Rolling Stone put it at number 229 on a list of great songs. It was also named one of the best protest songs in 2025. These honors show how much the song matters to history.

Many different artists have performed this song in their own way. A group called The Travellers made it a hit in Canada. They changed the names of places to fit Canada. Famous singers like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen also sang it. Bruce Springsteen called it one of the most beautiful songs ever. The song is even performed at big events like presidential inaugurations. It has been sung by many people around the world. Some even say children in China have sung it too.

"This Land Is Your Land" is a famous American folk song.

It serves as a musical expression of social justice and national identity. The song conveys a message about the shared beauty of the land. It also addresses the need for fairness among all people. The central idea is captured in the refrain, "This land was made for you and me." This phrase suggests that the country belongs to everyone equally. Because of its powerful message, the song has become a staple of American music history.

The song's melody is based on an existing tune. Guthrie used a melody from a song called "When the World's on Fire." This tune was recorded by the Carter Family. It was originally a Baptist gospel hymn titled "Oh, My Loving Brother." Guthrie adapted this melody for his own use. He used the same melody for both the verses and the chorus. However, he changed the melodic structure to make it his own. While the original models used an "ABCD" structure, Guthrie used an "ABAC" structure. This means he repeated the first melodic phrase for the third line. He also created a brand new melodic phrase for the final line of the song.

The lyrics have different versions depending on the time and the singer.

Guthrie composed the original lyrics on February 23, 1940. He wrote them in his room at the Hanover House hotel in New York City. The original manuscript included verses that were critical of the United States. One verse discussed private property and "no trespassing" signs. Another verse addressed the suffering of people during the Great Depression. In 1944, Guthrie prepared a new version of the song. This version removed the verses about private property and hunger. His political views changed during World War II, leading to this different version.

History shows how the song has been preserved and honored. In 1989, a 1947 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2002, the Library of Congress added the song to the National Recording Registry. This registry recognizes recordings that are culturally significant. The song also appears on many lists of great music. Rolling Stone ranked it at number 229 on its "Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time." In 2025, it was ranked number 11 on a list of the best protest songs. These honors reflect the song's lasting impact on society.

Many different artists have brought their own style to the song. In 1956, a Canadian group called The Travellers made a popular hit version. They changed the lyrics to include Canadian locations. This version was sung by delegates at the founding of the New Democratic Party in 1961. In the 1960s, many folk artists revived the song in America. These included Bob Dylan, The Kingston Trio, and Peter, Paul and Mary. Bruce Springsteen has also performed it live. He once called it one of the most beautiful songs ever written. He performed it at the 2009 presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.

The song has even been adapted for different countries and groups. Many performers have changed the lyrics to fit their own regions or languages. For example, a version called "This badge is your badge" was written for football fans. The song has been recorded by many different types of musicians. These range from country singer Glen Campbell to the reggae group The Melodians. It has even been performed by Turkish singer Nuri Sesigüzel. This shows how the song's themes can reach people far beyond the United States.

"This Land Is Your Land" connects to broader themes of politics and social change. The verses about inequality are often interpreted as protests. They highlight the struggles of people during the Great Depression. Some versions of the song are not often performed in schools or official events. This is because the original lyrics can be politically sensitive. However, the song remains a powerful tool for expression. It continues to be used at major events, such as presidential inaugurations. Whether sung in a concert hall or at a rally, the song remains a symbol of shared humanity.