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Banjo tablatures for This Land is Your Land

Woody Guthrie

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #folk music, #vocal song

This song was written by Guthrie Woodie as a parody of "God Bless America" by Irving Berlin. Guthrie's lyrics went through subtle changes. For example, when he first wrote the song in 1940, the last line of the chorus was, "God bless America for me." However, in an attempt to advocate for equal rights and opportunities for the working class and the rich, the lyrics were changed to "This land was made for you and me." As time went by, it was used as a protest song. While commenting on this song, Anna Canoni, Guthrie's granddaughter, said: "It's the most famous, but there's a reason why it's the most famous. I think that often, people will just look at the words on the surface and not look into what he's talking about. But when Woody wrote, he wrote in double entendres, and sometimes triple. And there's enough to keep you thinking. I think his music was really to keep you thinking and start up a conversation. It wasn't just something nice to listen to, it's something that needs to be said to begin a discussion. And I would define that as great songwriting. So 'This Land Is Your Land' would fit into that."

  • Banjo This Land is Your Land Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      C
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    Play this and get inspired. A great Scruggs take on this classic melody.

    Banjo This Land is Your Land Scruggs Style
    Learn
  • Banjo This Land is Your Land Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      C
    • Tempo
      100 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    Nothing too tough here. Just some simple melodic licks that follow the introductory melody notes and chord progression. Use the lick switcher for more variations on this tune.

    Banjo This Land is Your Land Melodic Style
    Learn
  • Banjo This Land is Your Land Single String Style

    Single String Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      C
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    Even with all the hot licks, you can still clearly hear the underlying melody in this tune. These licks were made for you and me :P Even the ones in the lick switcher.

    Banjo This Land is Your Land Single String Style
    Learn



Practicing Tips

Embark on an educational journey of enriching your banjo skills with our advanced learning resource for 'This Land is Your Land.' This comprehensive guide specially focuses on bluegrass banjo tablatures in Scruggs, Melodic, Single String Styles, for the benefit of intermediate players. Immerse yourself in the vibrant realm of folk music, and express yourself through the soulful harmony of a vocal song.


Our strategic approach to learning is accentuated by employing the cutting-edge features of the Tunefox platform. The Lickswitcher tool is a remarkable invention that supports your creativity. It allows you to exchange licks within individual measures, thereby fostering a flexible mindset and encouraging an innovative learning experience.


Other striking features like the Arrange slider are designed with your unique learning requirement in mind. With this tool, you can adjust the difficulty level and tonal quality of the song to match your comfort zone and musical preferences. Your learning journey is tailored to suit your pace and style, ensuring an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.


For individuals with a preferred auditory learning style, the 'Hide notes' slider can offer immense benefits. This tool enables you to hide particular notes, propelling you to learn the tune by ear, and thereby sharpening your musical intuition and memory. This method amplifies your ability to remember tunes and enhances your ear training skills.


Alongside these platform-specific learning tools, we have included some generalized tips to guide your practice sessions. Consistent practice, breaks to avoid fatigue, and a positive mindset can significantly complement your learning experience, speeding up your progress while ensuring you form a deeper connection with the music. Remember, with patience, dedication, and passion, you can transform your musical journey into a rewarding experience.


This Land is Your Land lyrics

Woody Guthrie

Chorus:
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 water,
This land was made for you and me.

As I went walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway,
I saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me.

Chorus

I roamed and I rambled and I followed my footsteps
O'er the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts,
While all around me a voice was sounding, saying

Chorus

In the squares of the city, in the shadow of the steeple
In the relief office, I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry I stood there asking,
--Is this land made for you and me?

Chorus

As I went walking, I saw a sign there;
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!

Chorus

The sun came shining and I was strolling
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
As the fog was lifting a voice was calling,
"This land was made for you and me."

Chorus