mixed-up monday: this land {thank you}

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to witness two soldiers tie the knot in a community-sponsored wedding. The day was like a sweet song – – pitch perfect with a steady back beat of gratitude.

 

Today, as I watched the flag at the end of my street flap against a dappled sky, the wind coaxed a song out of me — one I sang so softly that the waves had to roll in closer just to hear it.

 

I treasured each verse with the unbridled joy I’d felt as a child, before I learned of alternate versions and political trappings. My voice still cheers when I sing “New York Island” {Yay, that’s us!}, and the melody remains strong enough to lift me into an endless skyway so I can swoop down to gaze at diamond deserts and wheat fields waving.

 

Today, I made it a song of gratitude. For all those you serve and protect this land that’s our land. . . . thank you.

 

This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie

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.

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.

I roamed and I rambled and I followed my footsteps

To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts

While all around me a voice was sounding

This land was made for you and me.

When the sun came shining, and I was strolling

And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling

A voice was chanting, as the fog was lifting,

This land 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. 

Woody Guthrie – This Land is Your Land
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – This Land is Your Land – Live
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – This Land Is Your Land
Everclear – This Land Is Your Land
Jessi Colter / Waylon Jennings – This Land Is Your Land
Little Feat – This Land Is Your Land
John Mellencamp – This Land Is Your Land
Counting Crows – This Land Is Your Land – Acoustic Demo
The Waterboys – This Land Is Your Land – 2006 Digital Remaster
Bob Dylan – This Land Is Your Land – Live Version
Billy Bragg – This Land Is Your Land (Bonus Track)
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger – This Land is Your Land
Johnny Cash – This Land Is Your Land – Live