Woody Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter and folk musician who was an iconic figure in the American folk music revival of the 1940s and 1950s. He wrote hundreds of songs, many of which became standards, including “This Land Is Your Land,” “So Long, It’s Been Good to Know You,” and “This Train Is Bound for Glory.” Guthrie’s lyrics often focused on American themes of economic justice, immigration, labor rights, and rural life. His quotes are often inspiring and reflect his passion for social justice and the human spirit. Guthrie’s words continue to be quoted today and serve as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right.
44 Best Woody Guthrie Quotes
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“Take it easy, but take it.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I ain’t a communist necessarily, but I been in the red all my life.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I ain’t got no home in this world anymore.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I’m out to sing songs that’ll prove to you that this is your world and that if it’s night, there’ll be a day coming.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“Riding on a freight train, going west.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“This land is your land, this land is my land, from California to the New York Island.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I ain’t never done no wrong.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I got no place to go, and no place to stay.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“Some will rob you with a six-gun, and some with a fountain pen.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“As long as there’s a few of us left, we got a chance to start all over again.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I ain’t afraid of your jail ’cause I can make music in there.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“Let the people know the facts and the country will be safe.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I’m not a communist necessarily, but I’ve been in the red all my life.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“There’s a better world a-coming, this world is almost done.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I ain’t got no home in this world anymore.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“Some will rob you with a six-gun and some with a fountain pen.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I don’t care how little you got, it’s the way you use what you got.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“My old home is a-movin’ on, it’s a-rollin’ and a-stompin’ and a-tumblin’ down.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“Some may hate you, some may scorn you, but don’t let ’em get you down.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I ain’t a-studyin’ war no more.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I don’t have a gun, I don’t have a knife, but I can still rob you of your life.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“We got to tell the truth and we got to be brave.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I ain’t gonna work on the railroad no more.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“Protest songs are the music of the people.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“This land was made for you and me.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“If I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morning, I’d hammer in the evening, all over this land.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“The only thing I done wrong was stay in one place too long.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I ain’t a-studyin’ war no more, I’m a-studyin’ peace.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I’m gonna tell you a story, I’m gonna tell you a lie.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I’m gonna build me a highway, gonna build it with love.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I ain’t singin’ for nobody but me and my friends.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I’m a-workin’ for peace, and I’m a-workin’ for the poor.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“When a rich man gets rich, what do they call that? When a poor man gets poor, what do they call that?”
– Woody Guthrie
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“The rich man’s house may be made of marble, but the poor man’s house is made of clay.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“One of these days I’m gonna settle down, and write a book about everything I’ve seen and done.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“Somebody’s gonna raise a holler, somebody’s gonna get free.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I’m gonna hunt me a gunman to shoot my troubles away.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“You’ve got to fight for freedom wherever you may find it.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“This machine kills fascists.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I’m gonna break the chains of poverty and set the people free.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I’m gonna sing a song of love, but it’s all right if it don’t come from above.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I got a hammer and a bell and a song to sing, all over this land.”
– Woody Guthrie
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“I’m gonna live the life I sing about in my song.”
– Woody Guthrie
Conclusion
Woody Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and writer who is best remembered for his protest songs, such as “This Land Is Your Land” and “This Machine Kills Fascists.” His words, music, and spirit have inspired generations of artists, musicians, and activists to use their craft to make the world a better place. Woody Guthrie’s quotes remind us to keep fighting for what is right, to never give up hope, and to never stop striving for justice. His words will continue to inspire us for generations to come.
