The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stirred controversy after altering the lyrics of Woody Guthrie's classic protest song 'This Land Is Your Land' for a promotional video, removing its original critique of American inequality.
The folk anthem, written in 1940 as a response to Irving Berlin's 'God Bless America', originally contained verses highlighting economic disparity and restricted access to private property—elements conspicuously absent from the DHS version.
Erasing Protest from History
Guthrie's granddaughter, Anna Canoni, expressed disappointment, stating: "The song was meant to include all people—that was the entire point. To take the verses out changes the meaning." The omitted lyrics include references to 'No Trespassing' signs and breadlines during the Great Depression.
Political Backlash
Critics argue the sanitized version whitewashes the song's radical history. Democratic Representative Mark Pocan tweeted: "Maybe next they'll edit the Declaration of Independence." The DHS maintains their version celebrates the song's 'hopeful message.'
A Song's Evolution
Originally titled 'God Blessed America', Guthrie's composition evolved into a civil rights anthem. Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen later popularized versions including the protest verses now deemed too controversial for government use.
