Hi, I am a new member of the board. Actually, I tried registering awhile back, but it seemed like I was fighting with the board software.

Anyway, I had the pleasure of playing in the Woody Guthrie "Bound For Glory" musical event at NEFFA this year. Singing Woody's songs in a group context really helped me connect with his music; so many of the songs are great singalongs.

Here's lyrics to a song I wrote about Woody. Maybe I'll post a recording someday.

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I'm With Woody (Guthrie)


Who is this man named Woody Guthrie?
His name it seems is world-renown.
I blinked my ears and almost missed him.
Now I'm hearing his name all over town.

I’ve seen his songs in the headlines…
Raging storms, tragic calamities.
Picking up the pieces and moving on
As an American, within larger humanity.

He rambled ‘round, saw it, lived it.
Country, city, suburban, in-between.
Spin a song, make you laugh or cry.
Challenge his fellow man to aim high.

I'm with that uncommon man,
(He was a common man)
I’m with Woody Guthrie.

Seen him out there singing with the migrants,
Workers at farms and factories.
Knows each has a name, each has a story.
Each has human dignity.

Heard his words echoed in the words of a preacher man,
who said “We're called to let others in".
Not try to make somebody feel bad
about where they come from, or the circumstance they're in.

I’ve seen his face out on the newsstand,
Heard him on radio and TV,
Pointing out sinister plots that are spun:
Look what their greed for money has done.

I'm with that unholy man,
(In some ways, a holy man)
I’m with Woody Guthrie.

I'm with that uncommon man,
(He was a common man)
I’m with Woody Guthrie.

Don’t forget what Woody says,
Don't forget what Woody says,
Don't forget what Woody says:
"Life's pretty rough, you're lucky if you live through it."
"Take it easy, but take it."

And good luck livin’ through it,
And have fun livin’ through it,
And keep your head up livin’ through it,
And do better by your fellow man livin’ through it.

When I hear those songs of Woody Guthrie,
Those sounds, they echo off of today.
What would Woody say?
Maybe baby…
”We should aim higher, in so many ways.”?

I'm with that unholy man,
(In some ways, a holy man)
I’m with Woody Guthrie.

I'm with that uncommon man,
(He was a common man)
I’m with Woody Guthrie.

Welcome to the boards. Those are neat lyrics. It's be neat to hear them online sometime...