Perhaps Pete Seeger's best known song, composed shortly before Pete was cited for contempt of Congress in 1956 (373 to 9) for refusal to cooperate with HUAC. Pete and Arlo Guthrie here perform it live at Wolftrap. Where Have All the Flowers Gone has been performed in at least 25 languages.
Woody Guthrie's declaration about songs that tear people down, and songs that give people strength. Studs Terkel with Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Arlo Guthrie, and Fred Hellerman. An excerpt from a 1976 PBS tribute to Woody Guthrie.
With Pete and children, it was always one young soul to another ... decade after decade. In this song, one young hero helps to defeat a giant that threatens the whole village. More Pete Seeger tribute here.
Peter, Paul and Mary perform If I Had a Hammer, by Pete Seeger and Lee Hayes, at the Newport Folk Festival, 1963. More Pete Seeger tribute here.
Jesus Christ visits Sarah Silverman to discuss women's reproductive rights.
Original 1969 video of Edwin Starr singing 'War.' (First performed by The Temptations.)
Lyrics:
War, huh yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, oh hoh, oh
War huh yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, say it again y'all
War, huh good God
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
Oh, war, I despise
'Cause it means destruction of innocent lives
War means tears to thousands of mothers eyes
When their sons go off to fight and lose their lives
I said
War, huh good God y'all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, just say it again
War whoa Lord
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
War, it ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Oh war, is an enemy to all mankind
The thought of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest within the younger generation
Induction, then destruction who wants to die
War, good God, y'all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, say it, say it, say it
War, uh huh, yeah, huh
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
War, it ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker
War, it's got one friend that's the undertaker
Oh, war has shattered many young man's dreams
Made him disabled bitter and mean
Life is much to short and precious to spend fighting wars these days
War can't give life it can only take it away, ooh
War, huh, good God y'all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, say it again
War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
War, it ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Peace love and understanding tell me
Is there no place for them today
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord knows there's got to be a better way
War, huh, good God y'all
What is it good for?
You tell 'em, say it, say it, say it, say it
War, good Lord, huh
What is it good for?
Stand up and shout it, nothing
War, it ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker
Spread the word