I read on ArsTechnica that the copyright holders of This Land is Your Land have threatened legal action against JibJab, makers of a very amusing Flash animation satirizing W and JFK v2.0, for what they believe to be a violation of their copyright. Now it seems that they have case, since Satire is not protected as Parody is. Ars discusses this in the link above. Too bad that someone still owns a copyright on this song that is now 64 years old and 27 years after the originator has died.
Thank you Disney! Wait, I mean, Fuck You, Disney.
Since this is my favorite Pro America song, I'll violate a copyright and post it verbatim, sans approval from the copyright holder with my favorite parts highlighted.
This land is your land, 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.
As I was walking, That ribbon of highway,
I saw above me, That endless skyway,
I saw below me, That golden valley.
This land was made for you and me.
I've roamed and rambled, And I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me
The sun comes shining, As I was strolling
The wheat fields waving, And the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me
As I was walkin', I saw a sign there
And that sign said no trespassin'
But on the other side, It didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!
In the squares of the city, In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office, I see my people
And some are grumblin', And some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.
Nobody living can ever stop me
As I go walking, That freedom highway
Nobody living, can make me turn back
This land was made for you and me
To copyright "This Land is Your Land" is a bit like, but not near as bad as, the first time I saw that old NIKE commercial that used, "Revolution." The other big example that comes to mind was Reagan seeking to use, "Born in the USA" as his campaign song of 1984. Hi, Trevor.
Posted by: Bill Pavuk on August 6, 2004 11:14 AM