Part 3/9:
Woody Guthrie’s "This Land Is Your Land", often sung as a nostalgic ode to America, was actually penned as a critique of the disparity of wealth and the concept of private property. Composed during the 1940s as a response to hearing "God Bless America", Guthrie sought to convey a message about social inequality. His original verses included pointed critiques that were removed out of fear of persecution, illustrating the ironic contrast between the song’s current use in public consciousness and its original intent.