Tag: Pete Seeger

“Sailing Down This Golden River” ~Arlo Guthrie Classic

The digital age allows for bits and pieces of things remembered to take form. A fond memory from days gone by was brought together with a search on You Tube.

Arlo Guthrie+Muppets Show+I was not far from home.

“This Golden River” by Pete Seeger and performed by Arlo Guthrie is a treasured moment in song. Guthrie’s home base is in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. He is the son of American folk singer and songwriter Woody Guthrie. Arlo continues his support of live acoustic folk music presenting the Guthrie Center Troubadour Series, at the Old Trinity Church in Great Barrington, MA. He is an accomplished singer, songwriter, storyteller and performer with commercial and critical success.

When I watch this video, it feels as if I have connected with an old friend. Arlo’s presence brings comfort and joy. The lyrics have classic Seeger clarity and attention to that which is all around us. He often gave ordinary activities and things a voice. The melody, vocals and instrumentation make this song beautiful.

This Golden River

Words and music by Pete Seeger

Sailing down my golden river
Sun and water all my own
Yet I was never alone

Sun and water, old life givers
I’ll have them where ere I roam
And I was not far from home

Sunlight glancing on the water
Life and death are all my own
Yet I was never alone

Life for all my sons and daughters
Golden sparkles in the foam
And I was not far from home

Sailing down this winding highway
Travelers from near and far
And I was never alone

Exploring all the little byways
Sighting all the distant stars
And I was not far from home

Sailing down my golden river
Sun and water all my own
Yet I was never alone

Sun and water, old life givers
I’ll have them where ere I roam
And I was not far from home
Yet I was never alone
And I was not far from home

The Garden Song

Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow.

All it takes is a rake and a hoe and a piece of fertile ground.

Inch by inch, row by row, Someone bless the seeds I sow.

Someone warm them from below, ’til the rain comes tumbling down.

 

Pulling weeds and picking stones, man is made of dreams and bones.

Feel the need to grow my own ’cause the time is close at hand.

Grain for grain, sun and rain, find my way in nature’s chain,

to my body and my brain to the music from the land.

 

Plant your rows straight and long, thicker than with prayer and song.

Mother Earth will make you strong if you give her love and care.

Old crow watching hungrily, from his perch in yonder tree.

In my garden I’m as free as that feathered thief up there.

 

Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow.

All it takes is a rake and a hoe and a piece of fertile ground.

Inch by inch, row by row, Someone bless the seeds I sow.

Someone warm them from below, ’til the rain comes tumbling down.

Written by Pete Seeger

 

The first time I heard this song, it was performed by John Denver on the Muppet Show. Here is a link to an old friend of the Earth.