This Land is Your Land sang Woody Guthrie,
Commending the beauty of his homeland,
Drawing attention to social inequality.
Patriot or protester his songs were never bland.

With the Almanac Singers and the Weavers,
Pete Seeger set his stall out for sure.
Pursued by McCarthy he held on to his beliefs,
Singing songs about flowers and hammers and more.

A labour activist, folk singer and stage actor,
Ewan McColl instigated the 1960’s folk revival.
His songs about The Thames, herrings and rambling,
Joined those he sang about hardship and survival.

Tom Paxton sang with humour and conviction.
He crooned about his children, toys and zoos,
He drew attention to the absurdity of wars,
In his song Talkin’ Vietnam Potluck Blues.

Phil Ochs committed suicide at the age of 35.
Another protest singer who undoubtedly made his mark.
Ironically There But For Fortune was about fragility.
His song I Ain’t Marching Anymore was his trademark.