Woody Guthrie

Singer-Songwriter

Woody Guthrie was a pivotal American folk musician known for his songs advocating for social justice, particularly during the Great Depression.

Born
July 14, 1912
Died
October 3, 1967
Quotes
55
Rank
#576

About Woody Guthrie

Woody Guthrie — Life and Legacy

Woody Guthrie, an influential American folk musician, is best known for his poignant songs that address social justice and the struggles of the common man. His most famous work, 'This Land Is Your Land,' not only celebrates the beauty of America but also critiques the inequalities present in society. Guthrie's lyrics often reflect his deep empathy for the disenfranchised, as seen in his quote, 'I ain't got no home,' which speaks to the plight of the homeless and the importance of community. Guthrie's worldview was shaped by his experiences during the Great Depression, where he witnessed firsthand the struggles of ordinary people. His music became a rallying cry for those seeking justice and equality, challenging the status quo and advocating for the marginalized. Through his words, he expressed a belief in the inherent goodness of humanity, as illustrated by his quote, 'The world is a beautiful place.' This optimism, coupled with a commitment to social change, made his work resonate deeply with audiences. Today, Guthrie's legacy endures, as his songs continue to inspire activists and musicians alike. His ability to articulate the struggles of the human experience ensures that his messages of freedom and resilience remain relevant in contemporary discussions about social justice.

Quote collection

Woody Guthrie quotes (page 1 of 3)

55 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"It's a folk singer's job to comfort disturbed people and to disturb comfortable people"

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"I would like to see every single soldier on every single side, just take off your helmet, unbuckle your kit, lay down your rifle, and set down at the side of some shady lane, and say, nope, I aint a gonna kill nobody. Plenty of rich folks wants to fight. Give them the guns."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"I am out to sing songs that will prove to you that this is your world and that if it has hit you pretty hard and knocked you for a dozen loops, no matter what color, what size you are, how you are built, I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in yourself and in your work. And the songs that I sing are made up for the most part by all sorts of folks just about like you."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"Some men rob you with a six-gun -- others rob you with a fountain pen."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"Life has got a habit of not standing hitched. You got to ride it like you find it. You got to change with it. If a day goes by that don't change some of your old notions for new ones, that is just about like trying to milk a dead cow."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"Was a great high wall there that tried to stop me. Was a great big sign there said private Property but on the back side it didn't say nothing. That side was made for you and me."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"I love a good man outside the law, just as much as I hate a bad man inside the law."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"If we fix it so's you can't make money on war, we'll all forget what we're killing folks for."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"The best way to get to know any bunch of people is to go and listen to their music."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"The note of hope is the only note that can help us or save us from falling to the bottom of the heap of evolution, because, largely, about all a human being is, anyway, is just a hoping machine."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"The world is filled with people who are no longer needed -- and who try to make slaves of all of us -- and they have their music and we have ours."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"There's several ways of saying what's on your mind. And in states and counties where it ain't too healthy to talk too loud, speak your mind, or even vote like you want to, folks have found other ways of getting the word around. One of the mainest ways is by singing."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"Anyone who used more than three chords is just showing off."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"One day we'll all find out that all of our songs was just little notes in a great big song!"

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"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. This land is your land, this land is my land From California to the New York island From the Redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters This land was made for you and me."

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Woody Guthrie Singer-Songwriter
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"I hate a song that makes you think that you are not any good. I hate a song that makes you think that you are just born to lose. Bound to lose. No good to nobody. No good for nothing. Because you are too old or too young or too fat or too slim too ugly or too this or too that."

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