Tag Archives: Almanac Singers

The Sinking of the Reuben James, anatomy of a Woody Guthrie song

“Most songs that last the longest are the ballads that tell you a story about the news of the day” Woody Guthrie

Woody Guthrie’s guitar has sign that said “This machine kills fascists.” Not only was Guthrie a communist sympathizer, the German Nazi fascists has just torpedoed the Reuben James off the US coast.

“I can’t invent the news every day,” said Woody Guthrie.  Continue reading →

Pete Seeger keeps Woody Guthrie flame with Union Maid

May Day Song – Woody Guthrie wrote ‘Union Maid’ as a woman’s point of view in supporting unions

On the eve of May Day 2012, it’s interesting to remember one of the great American folk and protest songwriters – Woody Guthrie.

Guthrie wrote this song back in 1940 to give a woman’s point of view about the union. Some of the comments are perhaps anachronistic today but the main point is “I’m sticking with the Union.”  The title is a pun on the “Union Made” label.
Continue reading →