Texas Time Travel

Woody Guthrie

Woody Guthrie (1912-1967) was an influential American folk singer and songwriter whose music captured the struggles and experiences of working people during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era. Born in Okemah, Oklahoma, Guthrie traveled widely across the United States, writing songs that reflected social issues, migration, and everyday life.

Guthrie's storytelling style and commitment to documenting American life helped shape modern folk music and influenced generations of musicians.

Credit: Woody Guthrie Manuscript Collection (AFC 1940/004), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Why They Matter

Guthrie's songs gave voice to the struggles and hopes of ordinary Americans and helped shape the tradition of socially conscious folk music in the United States.

Signature Sound & Style

Guthrie was known for a simple folk sound built around acoustic guitar and plainspoken vocals, paired with storytelling lyrics that reflected the lives, struggles, and experiences of everyday Americans.

Must-Know Songs

  1. "This Land Is Your Land"- Guthrie’s most famous song and one of the best known folk songs in American history, written as a reflection on the country’s shared landscape and people.
  2. "Pastures of Plenty"- A Dust Bowl era song that tells the story of migrant farm workers traveling across the United States in search of work.
  3. "Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)"- A powerful song about migrant workers who died in a 1948 plane crash, highlighting Guthrie’s focus on social justice and overlooked stories.


[LISTEN TO GUTHRIE'S HITS ON THE PLAINS TRAIL REGIONAL PLAYLIST]

Did You Know?

Guthrie often performed with the phrase “This Machine Kills Fascists” written on his guitar as a symbol of his belief that music could challenge injustice.

Woody Guthrie Bio in Detail

Read a more in depth biography on Woody Guthrie.

The Handbook of Texas Music