Below is a video of 0A and 0B teacher, Bob Malenky. We visited Bob in his classroom at 189 Houston Street and he told us about one of his favorite musicians, Woody Guthrie. Bob also sang one of Woody’s songs, “This Land Is Your Land”. Read about Woody, listen to the song and take the quiz below. Let us know in the comments what you think about the song, Woody Guthrie and if you enjoy folk music.

Woody Guthrie was born on July 12th, 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma. After a turbulent childhood, he moved to Texas and from there traveled to California. Woody played the guitar and harmonica and wrote songs based on his travels and observations, many using melodies from older folk and country songs.

 This Land is Your Land was written after Guthrie had traveled to New York from Texas in 1940. 

 Woody Guthrie’s lyrics sung  in his true rural American style gave rise to a generation of followers including Bob Dylan, and Woody’s son, Arlo.

 Guthrie died in October of 1967 from a hereditary disease of the nervous system, but his songs such as “This Land is Your Land”, “Pastures of Plenty”, “So Long, It’s Been Good to Know You”, and many others continue to be sung around the world.