Mike Seeger, half-brother of the better-known Pete Seeger, used the above words to describe American folk music. During my youth, the folk songs I heard touched on the everyday lives of unremarkable men and women and their efforts to take on life’s challenges, survive, and overcome them.
Lead Belly sang of his unfaithful woman. Tennessee Ernie Ford made his audience aware of the hardship of working in a coal mine with “Sixteen Tons.”
Peter, Paul and Mary, and Pete Seeger addressed the need for social justice. Woodie Guthrie described the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. In the 1960s, some voices rose on behalf of organized labor and Civil Rights, and later, they opposed the Vietnam War.
Below, you will find all these voices, the Weavers (one of whom was Pete Seeger), and one more: Judy Collins singing Seeger’s song “Turn, Turn, Turn,” along with the composer, whose lyrics were taken from Ecclesiastes in the Bible.
I imagine we will be reminded of more and more of these old tunes by new performers. The moment calls for it. Don’t miss the final offering below: Seeger again, singing the gospel song, “We Shall Overcome:”
Pete Seeger is one of my heroes. Wish there was still a folk music scene. I’ll check with the Old Town School.
Seeger rightly deserved your hero worship, Joan. A great man. Thanks for your good words.
Your younger readers may not remember his brave and brilliant testimony before House Unamerican Activities Committee. Pete put them to shame.
I agree that Seeger was a remarkable man. I am hopeful that others like him will emerge. Thanks, Joan.
well, Dr Stein, you have done it again for this reader. First, I remember my dad singing some of these songs. And my uncle bill played the guitar and sang. He loved woody Guthrie. As I watched these videos, I was struck by the musicality of these musicians. Almost all of this music was a little before me time but I am familiar with some of them.
The hammer of justice. The bell of freedom. The song of love between my brothers and my sisters.
It’s like musicians of the time had a deeper purpose behind their music. I hate to be a stereotypical boomer, but when I compare these songs to a few current songs that are incredibly crass and crude, I lament what we have lost.
The images from the last video are just shameful. I know people were just doing what they had been taught (I guess) but seeing humans treat other humans as less than is heartbreaking. It still is today.
Wonderful post. Thank you.
Excellent, Susan! I am glad the songs brought you back in time. I think some of the songs dealing with justice will be revived. They are needed. Yes, the treatment of blacks was as horrible as their bravery was remarkable. Let’s not go back to a time when people were treated like things.
I remember all of these songs and it was a bygone era that iwas joyful and sad at the same time. How much have we “Overcome?” Lately it seems we have gone backwards and it saddens me almost as much as music gives me joy.
Yes, the emotions are complicated, Enid. But as I hear the music and the lyrics, I also believe people like Seeger and Peter, Paul and Mary would keep fighting were they alive today. Surely there are artists who can fill their shoes. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
I remember all of this music in a bygone era filled with pain and joy. While listening recently to Joan Baez singing “We Shall Overcome,” I began to weep at how much we have not overcome in terms of human rights. Our democracy is threatened now more than ever. It saddens me almost as much as music gives me joy.
As I see it, much as the threats are real, the game isn’t over. Though I cannot predict the future, engagement by people like you will increase the chances that “We Shall Overcome.” Thank you, electicpenguin.
Oh…”If I Had a Hammer”…the original rendition. This was an anthem, a favorite of my choir teacher in the early 70’s. Thanks for sharing these, Dr. Stein. I’d forgotten entirely about my dad’s love of Ernie Ford’s “Sixteen Tons”, too. Happy Sunday to you. 😊
Thank you, Vicki. I hope that your choir teacher brought the class’s attention to the social justice message of the trio. And, of course, Ernie Ford’s rendition of “Sixteen Tons,” though joyously presented, carried much the same message of hardship in the coal mines. I must say that when I heard those songs in my youth the social justice message didn’t come through. Later, of course, that became essential. Happy Holidays, good Vicki!
Thanks for this uplifting post, Dr. Stein. There is so much empowerment in the lyrics you have selected, especially the last feature “We Shall Overcome.”
Thank you, Rosaliene. I am glad you and I found that to be the essential and necessary message, and the video portion an equally needed reminder.
Incredible music. Love how you provided the interweaving narrative, Dr. Stein.
Thank you, Wynne. Indeed, the music is so good it is easy not be stirred by what they were singing about. I hope the listeners of our time don’t miss a thing.
Yes…she was quite a champion and civil rights activist, introducing her students to powerful folk music. My dad loved Ernie Ford’s “Sixteen Tons” because his father identified with the song. He and other poor day laborers who worked in a rock quarry. ❤️
Ooops! My “reply” popped in out of place. Sorry about that! 🥰
No problem.Sounds like you were in an enlightening situation in multiple ways, Vicki. I would have liked to talk to a man who broke rocks for a living. Living history.
Interesting how music of yore stirred people so strongly and helped give a sense that the “everyman” was indeed important and could effect change in our world. We seem to have lost our idealism along the way.
I don’t disagree, Tamara, but the conditions of life have changed in this century and have done their part to corrode civility and change many from acquaintances into enemies. There is a great (and long) essay in The Atlantic — April issue, I think — written by Jonathan Haidt, that shines a light on how this has happened. You might find it as fascinating and insightful as I did. Happy Holidays!
*sigh* yes, there are unfortunately too many things that have transpired between then and now that have changed our social landscape so completely.