This piece was written and posted in 2014 after Pete's Passing. Thought it would be appropriate to re-post on the 100th anniversary of his birth on May 3, 2019. Enjoy!
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2014
Thank You Pete Seeger
Lots of us need to thank Pete Seeger for what he showed us and taught us over the years. Pete passed away last night, peacefully in his sleep. Ten days ago, according to his grandson, he was chopping wood for the fire in his cabin home in Beacon, NY, as he did for many years.
Pete Seeger taught us the importance of song and participation. He had a passion for song, music and making sure everyone was part of the expierience. But on top of all of that he believed in things. He believed in peace, the protection of the environment, justice for all, racial eguality and had fun doing it. He was banned, blacklisted and shunned. He was handcuffed, arrested and jailed for singing and protesting. He brought people together through song and showed people how to participate. Sometimes we were embarresed or shy about our voices or what we thought was our lack of musical talent but Pete Seeger made sure we all sounded good.
Singing This Land is Your Land or We Shall Overcome with Pete Seeger was often a life changing expierience. Thousands had that expierience and won't forget it.
Many years ago I was working at the Catholic Worker in NYC. I fancied myself a folk singer, protest singer, etc. I had written a few songs and sang many of the old ones in the tradition of Seeger, Woody Gutherie, The Weavers and others. One day Pete Seeger was on the phone talking to someone and they told him there was a young fella there who had an interesting anti war song. Next thing I knew I was on the phone with Pete Seeger and he wanted to hear the song my friend had told him about. So there I was, trying to sing my song with no guitar to a legend. He was kind. Said I had something there and should keep singing.
I also found out about thirty years later that a high school classmate of mine, Bob Killian, worked and sang with Pete Seeger on The Clearwater, the sailing ship that he used to promote clean water, particularly on the Hudson River. Bob went on to get involved with an educational sailing and environmental program in Florida.
I'm sure there are hundreds and thousands of stories of how Pete Seeger connected and influenced people throughout the world. His mantra was participation. Everybody sounded good to Pete. They really did. He just loved to hear another voice. One more thing he did. He took the time every Christmas to send cards of encouragement to prisoners of conscience. I was lucky enough to hear from him a couple of times.
So I just want to add my thanks to Pete Seeger for what he offered all of us. A chance to sing, participate and bring about change along with gleeful encouragement. Rest in peace Pete.
Pete Seeger taught us the importance of song and participation. He had a passion for song, music and making sure everyone was part of the expierience. But on top of all of that he believed in things. He believed in peace, the protection of the environment, justice for all, racial eguality and had fun doing it. He was banned, blacklisted and shunned. He was handcuffed, arrested and jailed for singing and protesting. He brought people together through song and showed people how to participate. Sometimes we were embarresed or shy about our voices or what we thought was our lack of musical talent but Pete Seeger made sure we all sounded good.
Singing This Land is Your Land or We Shall Overcome with Pete Seeger was often a life changing expierience. Thousands had that expierience and won't forget it.
Many years ago I was working at the Catholic Worker in NYC. I fancied myself a folk singer, protest singer, etc. I had written a few songs and sang many of the old ones in the tradition of Seeger, Woody Gutherie, The Weavers and others. One day Pete Seeger was on the phone talking to someone and they told him there was a young fella there who had an interesting anti war song. Next thing I knew I was on the phone with Pete Seeger and he wanted to hear the song my friend had told him about. So there I was, trying to sing my song with no guitar to a legend. He was kind. Said I had something there and should keep singing.
I also found out about thirty years later that a high school classmate of mine, Bob Killian, worked and sang with Pete Seeger on The Clearwater, the sailing ship that he used to promote clean water, particularly on the Hudson River. Bob went on to get involved with an educational sailing and environmental program in Florida.
I'm sure there are hundreds and thousands of stories of how Pete Seeger connected and influenced people throughout the world. His mantra was participation. Everybody sounded good to Pete. They really did. He just loved to hear another voice. One more thing he did. He took the time every Christmas to send cards of encouragement to prisoners of conscience. I was lucky enough to hear from him a couple of times.
So I just want to add my thanks to Pete Seeger for what he offered all of us. A chance to sing, participate and bring about change along with gleeful encouragement. Rest in peace Pete.
