Pete Seeger was a family favorite when I was little. My two sisters and I, as well as our parents, enjoyed his classic hits, learning them by heart. This Land is Your Land was my personal favorite, although written by Woody Guthrie in 1940. Imagine my delight when I was inspired to create an updated version for this here millenium. At the time the original song came out, it was groundbreaking work. But it was about unifying the United States. I felt Pete and Woodie’s spirit knocking on the door of my heart, asking me to do a re-write to include the whole earth. And so I did.
But first, I’d like to share a touching moment back in 2006 when Pete Seeger left me a personal message on an answering machine.
He was living in upstate NY in a town called Newtown. I was in town for a concert, and my organizer said she was friends with Pete, and had invited him to the concert. She told me that he still sings on street-corners in town, just for the joy of it. She then beckoned me to her phone system and said, “Listen to this!”
I heard Pete’s voice, so kind and gentle: “Thanks so much for the invite. I would have loved to come, but I’ve been feeling under the weather. Scott, if you are listening to this, go out and knock ’em dead. Or alive. Have fun. Hope to see you another time you come passing through.”
There was not an ounce of ‘celebrity’ in his communication. He was so down to earth. Just like this song.
New Lyrics By Scott Grace
This earth is your earth, this earth is our earth, from the Americas, to the streets of Aysia
From the mighty mountains, to majestic oceans, this earth is here for you and me
If you saw our home from outer space, you would not see countries, you would not see race
You’d just see beauty, a blue and white planet, spinning to provide us gravity
This earth is your earth, this earth is our earth, from the people of Africa, to the folks in Europe
From the Israelis, to the Palestinians, this earth supports everybody
And as we’re learning, ever so gradually, to get along with folks, who have their differences
So many languages, six thousand, nine hundred and nine, this earth supports diversity
Everybody breathes oxygen. Everybody is a citizen. Everyone a potential friend, on this our earth
Everybody breathes oxygen. Everybody is a citizen. Everyone a potential friend, on this our earth
Trees are so beautiful, they are our best friends, they take our CO2, and give us oxygen
And as we learn to care for our beloved home, sweet home, she can take care of you and me
Time to say bye-bye to fossil fuels and build a new economy on alternative energy
Like wind and solar, electric cars and planes, urgency, emergency, brings out the best in humanity
This earth is your earth, this earth is our earth, from those with private jets to those in poverty
Every hungry child is our responsibility, this earth can feed everybody,
This earth supports everybody, this earth is here for you and me
Everybody breathes oxygen. Everybody is a citizen. Everyone is a potential friend, on this our earth
Everybody breathes oxygen. Everybody is a citizen. Everyone is a potential friend, on this our earth
Lyrics Copyright @ 2018 ScottSongs
For more visit www.scottsongs.com
