Current Events Reflected in Woody Guthrie Songs
Economics and Politics from Another Era Ring True Today
Dec 24, 2008
The quintessential American folk singer Woody Guthrie captured the hardship and despair that many were feeling in the United States during such trying times as the Great Depression. Let's see how they compare in this era.
Born in Oklahoma in 1912, Guthrie’s parents both had inclinations toward music passed this on to their son. Tragedy hit their family when one of Guthrie’s sisters died. His family also experienced financial ruin.
In 1931, Guthrie moved to Texas where he experienced the dust bowl firsthand. He began writing songs about the difficulties that he and his neighbors were going through. This is where listeners can hear some similarities in the events of today.
From Wall Street to Main Street
Take “Pretty Boy Floyd,” a biography song about the outlaw hero Charles Floyd. Written in 1939, the song’s lyrics say,
'I’ve seen lots of funny men. Some will rob you with a six gun and some with a fountain pen."
This could be taken directly out of today’s headlines regarding Bernard Madoff, the Wall Street financier who was recently arrested for security’s fraud in an elaborate Ponzi scheme.
"I Ain’t Got No Home in this World Anymore” is an obvious comparison to the current housing crisis.
According to RealtyTrac, an online real estate company, “one in every 452 housing units received a foreclosure filing in October of 2008.”
“Do Re Mi” is a perfect example of the job losses and belt tightening. With the auto industry asking congress for a bailout to high unemployment rates, Woody’s song rings true.
"Cause I look through the want ads everyday
But the headlines on the papers always say.
If you ain’t got the do re mi boys, if you ain’t got the do re mi
Why, you better go back to beautiful Texas. Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, Tennessee.
California is the garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or to see;
But believe it or not, you won’t find it so hot
If you ain’t got the do re mi."
Tom Joad and Migrant Labor
Guthrie’s advocacy for migrant laborers is evident in his Tom Joad songs, based on characters from John Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes of Wrath. Protagonist Joad was forced to become a migrant laborer after losing the family farm. Guthrie recognized the plight of many fleeing the dust bowl of Oklahoma and other midwestern states.
"Us workin’ folkses, all get together
We ain’t got a chance anymore."
It is similar to today’s illegal immigrant situation where people come over the United States border from Mexico and elsewhere to work in United States farms, meat packing plants and other industries.
Another song that takes on this issue is Plane Wreck at Los Gatos (Deportee). Guthrie wrote this song following the tragic crash that claimed the lives of Mexican workers who were being sent back.
"The sky plane caught fire over Los Gatos Canyon,
A fireball of lightning shook all of our hills,
Who are all these friends all scattered like dry leaves?
The radio says, “They are just deportees.”
Politicians
In a year that made history in United States presidential campaigns, it is interesting to look back at Guthrie’s stance on politics. He weighed with a campaign song for Stetson Kennedy. Kennedy, a human rights activist and folklorist was running as an independent candidate for governor of Florida in 1952. The song begins:
"I done spent my last three cents
Mailing my letter to the president
I didn’t make a show, I didn’t make a dent
So I’m swinging over to this independent gent
Stetson Kennedy
Writing his name in"
New Voices Sing Guthrie
Over the last several years, Guthrie’s daughter Nora has established the Woody Guthrie Foundation to preserve the musical legacy of her father. It is also the home of an archive containing lyrics, photographs and other memorabilia.
Many of Guthrie’s lyrics have never been put to music. This led to Nora allowing musicians access to the archives to write songs using her father’s words. The results include Mermaid Avenue, Volumes 1 & 2, a collaboration between Billy Bragg and Wilco. The latest release is Jonatha Brooks’ The Works.
Guthrie died in 1967 after a long battle with Huntington’s Disease. Through his son Arlo granddaughter Sarah Lee and other singers, Guthrie’s songs have new life and lessons to teach us.
References:
“Woody Guthrie Biography.” Woody Guthrie Foundation.
24 Dec. 2008 <http://www.woodyguthrie.org>
“Stetson Kennedy.” Stetson Kennedy Foundation
24 Dec. 2008 <http://www.stetsonkennedy.com>
