The music to the Star Spangled Banner is an old British drinking song. It is a difficult song to sing along with. The lyrics are about the battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.
Woody's song is about the land its self. The beauty and majesty of this vast country we all love, regardless of political persuasion.
And it's easy to sing at ball games.
Why is this important?
This song by Woody Guthrie epitomizes what it is to be American. My first grade teacher in Florida played a lot of Woody for us in the late 1950's. I especially like the fifth verse: "As I went walking I saw a sign there. And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me."
