Gaither Vocal Band - This Land Is Your Land Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1:
This land is your land and this land is my land
From the California to the New York island
From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me
Verse 2:
As I went walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway
Saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me
This land is your land and this land is my land
From California to the New York island
From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me
Verse 3:
I roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
All around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me
Verse 4:
When the sun comes shining then I was strolling
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
A voice come chanting as the fog was lifting
This land was made for you and me
Chorus:
This land is your land and this land is my land
From California to the New York island
From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me
Verse 4:
When the sun comes shining then I was strolling
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
A voice come chanting as the fog was lifting
This land was made for you and me
This land is your land and this land is my land
From California to the New York island
From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me
Video
This Land Is Your Land [Live]
Meaning & Inspiration
The Gaither Vocal Band's rendition of "This Land Is Your Land," released on August 3, 2012, as part of their live recording, offers a compelling interpretation of a song deeply rooted in American identity. While Woody Guthrie's original composition carries a complex social commentary, the Gaither Vocal Band's performance shifts the focus, allowing the inherent themes of unity and divine providence to resonate powerfully within a faith-based context. The familiar lyrics, spanning from the iconic California shores to the Atlantic's Gulf Stream waters, become a backdrop for a message of shared inheritance and God's boundless provision.
The story behind this well-known tune, though originally penned with a spirit of advocacy, finds fertile ground in the Gaither Vocal Band's delivery for a deeper theological exploration. Their interpretation emphasizes that the very fabric of this nation, from its majestic forests to its fertile valleys, is a gift from the Creator. This perspective aligns beautifully with biblical truths concerning God's sovereignty over all creation. The song’s assertion that "this land was made for you and me" can be understood not merely as a political statement but as a profound acknowledgment of a divine hand orchestrating our existence and providing for all His people. Scripture consistently reminds us of God's generous nature; Psalm 24:1 declares, "The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." This Gaither Vocal Band version leans into this understanding, transforming a folk anthem into a hymn of gratitude for God's tangible blessings bestowed upon a nation.
The review of this performance centers on its ability to uplift and unify through its spiritual lens. The familiar verses, sung with the signature harmonies and clarity of the Gaither Vocal Band, invite listeners to reflect on the abundance they experience, both materially and spiritually. The repeated refrain, "This land was made for you and me," takes on new meaning when viewed through the prism of divine love. Just as God's grace is extended to all, so too is the bounty of the earth intended for every soul. This echoes the sentiment in Acts 17:25, where Paul speaks of God, "who gives all men life and breath and everything else." The performance encourages a sense of shared ownership, not just of the land, but of the blessings that flow from a gracious God. The Gaither Vocal Band masterfully guides the audience toward recognizing that this shared inheritance is a testament to God's enduring faithfulness, a truth that transcends any earthly division.