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Chapter 16: This Land Is Your Land

American folk (mostly)

While American pop branched away from the folk tradition to become elaborate and theatrical, folk believers kept on chugging, keeping the old ways alive for new generations. From the original antifa folk hero Woody Guthrie, to guitar virtuosos like John Fahey, to Dylan before he set fire to the folk rulebook, the thread that runs through all these artists’ songs is class. These are songs that illuminate every corner of the country, from shacks to high-rises, songs for everyone. (And one Aussie anthem for good measure.)
1. Woody Guthrie

This Land Is Your Land

2. John Fahey

I Am The Resurrection

3. Slim Dusty

Waltzing Matilda*

4. Harry McClintock

Big Rock Candy Mountain

5. Bob Dylan

The Times They Are A-Changin'

6. Merle Travis

Dark As a Dungeon

7. Pete Seeger

Devilish Mary

8. Elizabeth Cotten

Freight Train

9. Bob Dylan

Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

10. The Jim Kweskin Jug Band

Sadie Green (The Vamp of New Orleans)

*Not on Spotify