It's a folk singer's job to comfort disturbed people and to disturb comfortable people
Woody GuthrieRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the struggle between oppressive forces and individual freedom through the metaphor of music.
Woody Guthrie's quote emphasizes the existence of societal pressures and oppressive figures who attempt to control or manipulate others. It highlights the importance of individual expression and the distinct 'music' each person creates in response to these challenges, suggesting that while some try to dominate, others find their own voice and identity amidst adversity.
Themes
OppressionFreedomMusicIndividualityStruggle
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about social issues, this quote can illustrate the need for self-expression.
More from Woody Guthrie
All quotes →A folk song is what's wrong and how to fix it or it could be _x000D_ who's hungry and where their mouth is or _x000D_ who's out of work and where the job is or _x000D_ who's broke and where the money is or _x000D_ who's carrying a gun and where the peace is.
Woody GuthrieRead
Nobody living can ever stop me. As I go walking my freedom highway. Nobody living can make me turn back. This land was made for you and me.
Woody GuthrieRead
It's round the world I've traveled; it's round the world I've roamed; but I've yet to see an outlaw drive a family from its home
Woody GuthrieRead
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.
Woody GuthrieRead
Do Re Mi_x000D_ California is a garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or see,_x000D_ But believe it or not, you won't find it so hot_x000D_ If you ain't got the do re mi
Woody GuthrieRead
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