America IS beautiful and we are indeed fortunate, thus far anyway, to live here in a free land.
But let's not lose sight of how it came to be, and the free societies that lived here first and were decimated by our forefathers, who were ALL IMMIGRANTS, every one of them. Maybe it's time to make reparations to all the indigenous people who have survived, and possibly reparations to those our immigrant ancestors stole from their homeland and brought here to toil in service to them.
And to remain open to those who are looking to us for the chance to live here where they can be free from oppression and danger. Then we can truly sing about how "...this land was made for you and me."
Thank you! I remember when Peter, Paul and Mary came to my small women’s college in Chicago and this song was performed. I’ve never heard Bruce do it and it’s amazing! We need to preserve this beautiful country from those who want to destroy it for money. Vote!
Yes. Yes. Yes. How's about Springsteen and Pete Seeger performing this song on steps of Lincoln Memorial for Obama's inauguration in 2014, a mere 10 years ago? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnvCPQqQWds
With a nudge to inclusivity for all American peoples, indigenous communities and those who immigrated to this country to avoid religious and political persecution or against their will, the song can resonate strongly if and only if, the common interest of all is embraced.
Thank you, Dan, for this. Bruce’s version of this is the best - and I heard the Weavers sing it when I was a girl and Pete Seeger sing it countless times in childhood and since, so I have points of comparison by which to make that assessment. Still, as Linda Vogt wrote (above) the land was stolen from the original inhabitants, and as I age, I feel more and more outraged at the horrible treatment of Native Americans that continues today. Don’t get me wrong - my great grandparents came to this country to escape pogroms in Eastern Europe and I’m glad America took them and millions of others whose lives were unlivable in their homelands. Still, the brutality towards the indigenous inhabitants, and then towards those who were brought here as property, haunts our history and country to this day. This nation could have been a more perfect union, and I despair at how far the pendulum has swung away from the potential that THIS country could have been. Listening to Bruce, I wept at knowing that the US is struggling to maintain decency and democracy.
Always a compelling song, yet, as others have noted, it's hard not to think of those who have been displaced (or far worse) from their land or those left out of it being their land too. Those who were pushed off their land. Those who were enslaved on the land. Those who could not be out after dark for fear of lynching. Those who were prevented from buying land. Those whose land was taken by the government when they were sent to WWII internment camps. Not to be a downer, but we can't forget this, while we still celebrate a beautiful song and a goal to reach.
Beautiful! When I listen, I believe if we flipped the ownership to "these people are your people these people are my people" then maybe we give the land the respect and love it needs. The land and respect of it is what makes community, which is what we are in much need of.
Sadly, many of us Jews do not feel that way anymore. As we see ourselves bullied on college campuses, pushed out of "progressive circles", attacked in the streets...the almost ludicrous optimism of this song no longer seems to resonate, or at least is becoming questionable on my end.
America IS beautiful and we are indeed fortunate, thus far anyway, to live here in a free land.
But let's not lose sight of how it came to be, and the free societies that lived here first and were decimated by our forefathers, who were ALL IMMIGRANTS, every one of them. Maybe it's time to make reparations to all the indigenous people who have survived, and possibly reparations to those our immigrant ancestors stole from their homeland and brought here to toil in service to them.
And to remain open to those who are looking to us for the chance to live here where they can be free from oppression and danger. Then we can truly sing about how "...this land was made for you and me."
Thank you! I remember when Peter, Paul and Mary came to my small women’s college in Chicago and this song was performed. I’ve never heard Bruce do it and it’s amazing! We need to preserve this beautiful country from those who want to destroy it for money. Vote!
Yes. Yes. Yes. How's about Springsteen and Pete Seeger performing this song on steps of Lincoln Memorial for Obama's inauguration in 2014, a mere 10 years ago? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnvCPQqQWds
With a nudge to inclusivity for all American peoples, indigenous communities and those who immigrated to this country to avoid religious and political persecution or against their will, the song can resonate strongly if and only if, the common interest of all is embraced.
Let’s not let the best of ourselves slip away..,,,,,both our country and ourselves. It is as Springsteen said too easy to do.
Perhaps “This Land “should become the theme song of the Biden campaign. We need something positive that we can sing together in 2024.
Let’s cherish the many miles we have gone together , and keep going! I am smiling . Are you?
Thank you, Dan, for this. Bruce’s version of this is the best - and I heard the Weavers sing it when I was a girl and Pete Seeger sing it countless times in childhood and since, so I have points of comparison by which to make that assessment. Still, as Linda Vogt wrote (above) the land was stolen from the original inhabitants, and as I age, I feel more and more outraged at the horrible treatment of Native Americans that continues today. Don’t get me wrong - my great grandparents came to this country to escape pogroms in Eastern Europe and I’m glad America took them and millions of others whose lives were unlivable in their homelands. Still, the brutality towards the indigenous inhabitants, and then towards those who were brought here as property, haunts our history and country to this day. This nation could have been a more perfect union, and I despair at how far the pendulum has swung away from the potential that THIS country could have been. Listening to Bruce, I wept at knowing that the US is struggling to maintain decency and democracy.
Right now is a good time to be reminded of these words❣️
Let’s keep it that way, get the vote out
This land belongs to you and me.....................................Amen!!
The original hitchhiker
Riding the rails
Living amongst the hobos
A king in tattered clothes.
Always a compelling song, yet, as others have noted, it's hard not to think of those who have been displaced (or far worse) from their land or those left out of it being their land too. Those who were pushed off their land. Those who were enslaved on the land. Those who could not be out after dark for fear of lynching. Those who were prevented from buying land. Those whose land was taken by the government when they were sent to WWII internment camps. Not to be a downer, but we can't forget this, while we still celebrate a beautiful song and a goal to reach.
Thank you Dan. Everyone in the country needs to hear this today.
I love Steady. Thank you for putting something we need so badly out into the world right now.
Way to go Dan!
Way to go Bruce.
Great way to start a Sunday morning.
Forgot how beautiful Springsteen”s version is; somehow my mind goes right to Peter, Paul and Mary when I think of this number.
But Bruce you did it all by yourself with the help of guitar and harmonica. Kudos to my guy from Asbury Park, NJ and kudos to my guy from Wharton, TX
Beautiful! When I listen, I believe if we flipped the ownership to "these people are your people these people are my people" then maybe we give the land the respect and love it needs. The land and respect of it is what makes community, which is what we are in much need of.
Sadly, many of us Jews do not feel that way anymore. As we see ourselves bullied on college campuses, pushed out of "progressive circles", attacked in the streets...the almost ludicrous optimism of this song no longer seems to resonate, or at least is becoming questionable on my end.