Woody Guthrie, a name synonymous with American folk music, is often romanticized as a wandering troubadour, guitar in hand, singing anthems of freedom and patriotism. Songs like “This Land Is Your Land” resonate deeply within the American consciousness, seemingly simple odes to the nation’s beauty. But behind the iconic figure and his beloved songs lies a more complex and politically charged story – one inextricably linked to the powerful message emblazoned on his guitar: “This Machine Kills Fascists.” This slogan wasn’t just a catchy phrase; it was a declaration of war against injustice, a testament to Guthrie’s belief in the power of music as a weapon for social change. Exploring the story behind this potent statement reveals a deeper understanding of Guthrie’s artistry and the enduring relevance of his music in today’s world.
Woody Guthrie, a folk music icon, seated and playing his guitar, prominently displaying the sticker “This Machine Kills Fascists,” embodying his fusion of music and anti-fascist activism.
From Dust Bowl Balladeer to Anti-Fascist Icon: The Rise of Woody Guthrie
Born in Okemah, Oklahoma, in 1912, Woody Guthrie’s early life was marked by hardship and tragedy. His family experienced financial ruin, and he witnessed his mother’s descent into mental illness – later diagnosed as Huntington’s Chorea, the same disease that would tragically affect Guthrie himself. These early experiences instilled in him a deep empathy for the downtrodden and a keen awareness of social inequality. Leaving Oklahoma in 1929, Guthrie drifted through Texas, experiencing the oil boom and the burgeoning music scene, learning from his fiddler uncle and absorbing the diverse musical traditions of the region. By the 1930s, the Dust Bowl era and the Great Depression had gripped America, displacing countless families and exacerbating economic disparities. Guthrie, like many, migrated west, witnessing firsthand the suffering of migrant workers, often labeled “Okies,” in California. This period of profound social upheaval became the crucible that forged Guthrie’s political consciousness and solidified his commitment to using his music as a voice for the voiceless.
In Los Angeles, Guthrie found a platform for his music on KFVD radio, alongside Maxine Crissman, known as Lefty Lou. Their show resonated with the growing migrant population, offering familiar folk songs and a sense of connection to their roots amidst the hardships of their new reality. Guthrie’s experiences in the migrant camps, witnessing poverty, disease, and exploitation, fueled his social commentary. He saw the stark contrast between the promises of prosperity and the brutal realities faced by working-class Americans. This exposure to injustice radicalized him, leading him towards leftist political ideologies and a deep engagement with the burgeoning labor movement. He began to write songs that reflected the struggles of ordinary people, songs that challenged the status quo and questioned the very foundations of economic inequality.
“This Land” Reclaimed: From Anthem to Protest
The famous song “This Land Is Your Land” itself emerged from this period of social and political awakening. Initially conceived as a response to Irving Berlin’s ubiquitous patriotic anthem, “God Bless America,” Guthrie felt Berlin’s song presented a sanitized and incomplete picture of the American experience. While acknowledging the beauty of the land, Guthrie wanted to confront the realities of poverty and inequality that contradicted the idealized vision of “God Bless America.” He repurposed the melody of the Carter Family’s “Oh, My Loving Brother,” a tune familiar and accessible to his audience, to deliver a message that was both patriotic and critical.
The original lyrics of “This Land Is Your Land” included verses that are often omitted from popular renditions, verses that explicitly challenged the notion of equal opportunity and access for all Americans. Lines like “Was a great high wall there that tried to stop me / A sign was painted said: Private Property / But on the back side it didn’t say nothing— / God blessed American for me” and “One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple / By the relief office I saw my people— / As they stood hungry, I stood there wondering if / God Blessed America for me” directly confronted the inequalities Guthrie witnessed. These verses transformed “This Land Is Your Land” from a simple celebration of national beauty into a powerful protest song, a demand for social justice, and a challenge to the American Dream’s promise of equality.
“This Machine Kills Fascists”: Weaponizing the Guitar
It was against this backdrop of social activism and politically charged songwriting that Guthrie’s guitar became more than just a musical instrument – it became a weapon. The phrase “This Machine Kills Fascists” first appeared on Guthrie’s guitar around 1941, as the United States edged closer to involvement in World War II. This bold declaration was a direct response to the rise of fascism in Europe and a personal commitment to fighting against it through his music. Fascism, with its ideologies of oppression, nationalism, and authoritarianism, was antithetical to everything Guthrie believed in – the dignity of the common person, social justice, and freedom of expression.
A detailed view of Woody Guthrie’s guitar, highlighting the iconic “This Machine Kills Fascists” sticker, symbolizing his artistic weapon against oppression.
For Guthrie, his guitar was indeed a “machine” – a tool for communication, for mobilization, and for resistance. It allowed him to connect with audiences, to share stories of struggle, and to inspire action. In a time of global conflict and domestic injustice, “This Machine Kills Fascists” was not hyperbole; it was a statement of intent. It represented Guthrie’s belief in the power of art to challenge oppressive ideologies and to contribute to the fight for a better world. He wasn’t wielding a rifle, but he was using his songs and his guitar to combat fascism in the ways he knew best – by raising awareness, fostering solidarity, and promoting the values of democracy and equality.
The Almanac Singers and the Anti-Fascist Front
In 1940, Guthrie moved to New York City and joined the Almanac Singers, a folk group that included Pete Seeger, Millard Lampell, and Lee Hays. This collective shared Guthrie’s leftist political leanings and his commitment to using folk music for social change. Initially, in line with the Communist Party’s position at the time, the Almanac Singers advocated for peace and cautioned against US involvement in World War II. However, after the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union and the escalating threat of fascism, their stance shifted. They became ardent supporters of the war effort, recognizing the necessity of defeating fascism.
The Almanac Singers toured the country, performing for union audiences and at rallies, promoting the anti-fascist cause through their music. Guthrie himself embraced the war effort with fervor, writing patriotic songs like “Reuben James,” commemorating the sailors who died in a German U-boat attack. His guitar, emblazoned with “This Machine Kills Fascists,” became a visual symbol of his commitment to the fight against tyranny. Even CBS radio, despite later anxieties about the group’s communist associations, used the Almanac Singers’ song “Round and Round Hitler’s Grave” as the theme for a wartime series, demonstrating the widespread appeal of their anti-fascist message.
Enduring Legacy: “This Machine” in the 21st Century
While the overt focus on “fascism” might seem tied to the historical context of World War II, the underlying message of “This Machine Kills Fascists” remains profoundly relevant today. Fascism, in its broadest sense, represents oppression, intolerance, and the suppression of individual freedoms. Guthrie’s slogan, therefore, transcends its specific historical context and becomes a timeless call to arms against all forms of injustice and authoritarianism.
In the 21st century, where societal divisions and extremist ideologies persist, Guthrie’s message resonates powerfully. His music and his iconic guitar serve as a reminder that art can be a potent force for social commentary and positive change. For guitar players and musicians today, “This Machine Kills Fascists” is not just a historical slogan; it’s an inspiration. It challenges musicians to consider the social impact of their art, to use their platform to speak out against injustice, and to harness the power of music to promote a more just and equitable world. Woody Guthrie’s legacy is not just about his songs, but about his unwavering commitment to using his “machine” – his guitar – to fight for what he believed in. His message continues to inspire generations of musicians and activists to use their own “machines” to challenge oppression and build a better future.
Woody Guthrie’s story, and the powerful message of “This Machine Kills Fascists,” is a crucial reminder that music can be more than just entertainment. It can be a tool for protest, a weapon against injustice, and a voice for the voiceless. His legacy challenges us to consider how we can use our own “machines,” whatever they may be, to contribute to a more just and equitable world, carrying forward the spirit of resistance and social consciousness that Woody Guthrie so powerfully embodied.
