I. Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 is Earth Day. At noon Pacific Daylight Time, 1 p.m. MDT, 2 p.m. CDT and 3 p.m. EDT (so we're all singing together) and in the key of D (so we're all in sync), everyone should get together in groups, preferably at Earth Day events, and sing "This Land Is Your Land". Help spread the word on Facebook. Please go to our Facebook Page, like and share.
II. The Inspiration for a National Sing
In December, Occupella led a song circle after a movie at the Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship “Conscientious Projector” series. "The Singing Revolution" was a documentary, showing 300,000 Estonians singing their national anthem together and bringing about social change. This inspired me to think that we could have a national sing of our own. I envision groups throughout the country performing “This Land Is Your Land” on Earth Day (April 22, 2012), in the key of D (for consistency), and in synch with each other (noon PST, 1 MST, 2 CST and 3 p.m. EST). Existing Earth Day events and Occupy Earth Day events can incorporate10 minutes into their program at the designated time to participate, or events could be organized for that time and day. People may add contemporary verses if they so choose. We will construct a montage of the videotaped events of various groups performing (as “Singing For Change” did with “Stand By Me”). The main thing is that we all do this at the same time. There is nothing more unifying and empowering than the spirit of people singing together.
III. Tracking the Event
Check the “Sing out for Earth Day” page on facebook We will later set up a You Tube page to accommodate our videos. Information will be provided at the “Sing out for Earth Day” page as it becomes available, or email me at halih@yahoo.com for news or with any suggestions as to how to achieve this goal of singing nationally. Contact your local Earth Day planning committee. Spread the word! We have a press release below that you are welcome to adapt for your Sing Out in your community. Here is a flyer for the Bay Area.
IV. New Lyrics
Get creative! Add lyrics that reflect what's going on in the world. Here are two verses I've written (with continued respect and admiration for how contemporary and pertinent the original words are - I wouldn't change them a bit):
We join together across this nation
Stand side by side for our Occupations
To tax the rich and the corporations
So we can sustain democracy
To keep the air clean, and the rivers flowing
And the redwoods standing, and the planet going
So all the children can grow up knowing
That this land's still made for you and me
V. "This Land Is Your Land" Song Lyrics
Occupella has been singing this often! We've found that it works well to start with the chorus, then two verses and a chorus for the rest of the song (your choice, of course!)
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND (Woody Guthrie)
This land is your land This land is my land
From California to the New York island;
From the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me.
As I was walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway:
I saw below me that golden valley:
This land was made for you and me.
I've roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
And all around me a voice was sounding:
This land was made for you and me. (Chorus)
When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting:
This land was made for you and me.
As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me. (Chorus)
In the squares of the city -In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I seen my people
As they stood there hungry, I stood there wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.
Nobody living can ever stop me
As I go walking that freedom highway
Nobody living can make me turn back
This land was made for you and me (Chorus)
PRESS RELEASE 3/22/12
NATIONAL SING OUT FOR EARTH DAY
SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2012
Noon Pacific Time, 1 p.m. Mountain, 2 p.m. Central, 3 p.m. Eastern
AT EARTH DAY EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
LOCAL EVENTS:
SF Earth Day, Civic Center. Meet in front of Main Stage. Gather 11:30, sing at noon. Individuals and members of area choruses (Rockin' Solidarity Labor Chorus, Vukani Mawethu, La Pena, World Harmony Chorus and others) will join Occupella and special guest Country Joe MacDonald for the noon sing. Sign language interpreter, lyrics in Spanish, and new lyrics will be shared. This event will be videotaped by Archive Productions, Inc. Coordinated by Hali Hammer.
Berkeley, Civic Center Park. (MLK between Allston and Center). Gather 11:30, sing at noon. Individuals and chorus members will participate. This event will be videotaped by Archive Productions Inc. Coordinated by Max Ventura.
THE MISSION: To sing "This Land Is Your Land" TOGETHER in the key of D (for consistency) across the nation and at the same time. Videotaped performances from around the country will be used to create a montage of the events. Visit www.occupella.org home page for more information, and our facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sing-Out-for-Earth-Day/402795396403648.
CONTACT: Hali Hammer halih@yahoo.com
(Note if you're using this as a model: Most publications want your name, address and phone #, but you can preface that information with "for contact information only" so it doesn't appear in the actual press release).
