A legend in our time has died. Pete Seeger died yesterday at the age of 94. He was a man of principle, never failing to speak out against the wrongs in this world. He appeared before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1955, held in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify. He was banned from commercial television for ten years. During that time he played on college campuses and campaigned for civil rights. He returned to television on the Smothers Brothers show. His song "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy" protesting the war in Viet Nam was cut from the show by CBS.
Pete Seeger says he fell in love with folk music in 1935 when he attended a folk festival here in the NC mountains.
"The machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender"
The words on his banjo.
When asked about his religious or spiritual views, Seeger replied: "I feel most spiritual when I’m out in the woods. I feel part of nature. Or looking up at the stars. [I used to say] I was an atheist. Now I say, it’s all according to your definition of God. According to my definition of God, I’m not an atheist. Because I think God is everything. Whenever I open my eyes I’m looking at God. Whenever I’m listening to something I’m listening to God."
Seeger was an activist even in his senior years. He marched in the "Occupy Wall Street" movement. According to his grandson, Pete Seeger was chopping wood only ten days before his death. A legend in his own time, we won't see such a man very often. A man who truly stood up for the rights of all.
13 comments:
Thank you for posting these words in his honor, in his memory. What a giant of a heart.
Such a man, such a heart.
A man is remembered by the legacy he leaves behind and you can bet Pete will be remembered.
When I was a teenager, my mother bought me a Pete Seeger album, which I think speaks volumes about her. That was my first exposure to him, and I always thought of my mom when I heard his songs.
An incredible man with a legacy of caring and taking action on behalf of others. I had never read that quote about his thoughts on God but it is very close to how I feel.
It's said that the good die young, but Pete Seeger lived longer to show everyone how long good can last and be done. Bravo to him for all he did in standing up for what he believed and the rights of others.
I love him so very, very much. Truly a great man by any definition. One of my personal heroes, and I never use that term lightly. His impact as an environmentalist alone should make him a legend, but he was so much more. Thank you, dear, dear Mountain Woman, for posting...
he came to Madison as well and joined the Solidarity Sing along….it was a treat.
he leaves behind a legacy that we will always be grateful for!
xoxo
What an amazing man and to be much admired. I was a bit surprised at all the song we listened to that were his.
Amen.
A lovely tribute.
He will be missed, this is a very nice post in his honor. I do know what he means about feeling spiritual in the woods!
Wonderful!
And he helped clean up the Hudson.
Thanks for your comments, everyone.
Yes, there are none equal to Pete Seeger. How lucky we are to lived during his time.
Wonderful post. He walked the walk.
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