Vigilante Man

Woody Guthrie, Will Geer

About Vigilante Man

"Vigilante Man" is a song by Woody Guthrie, recorded and released in 1940 as one of his Dust Bowl Ballads. The song is about the hired thugs ("vigilantes") who would violently chase away migrants to California trying to escape the Dust Bowl, a man-made ecological catastrophe in the American Great Plains during the 1930s. One verse refers to the murder of Preacher (Jim) Casy, a central figure in John Steinbecks' 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath. The tune was taken from "Sad and Lonesome Day", a song made popular by The Carter Family; which itself borrows from "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" by Blind Lemon Jefferson.  


Year:
1999
3:22
122 
#2

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Have you seen that vigilante man?
Have you seen that vigilante man?
Have you seen that vigilante man?
I been hearin' his name all over the land.

Well, what is a vigilante man?
Tell me, what is a vigilante man?
Has he got a gun and a club in his hand?
Is that is a vigilante man?

Rainy night down in the engine house,
Sleepin' just as still as a mouse,
Man come along an' he chased us out in the rain.
Was that a vigilante man?

Stormy days we passed the time away,
Sleepin' in some good warm place.
Man come along an' we give him a little race.
Was that a vigilante man?

Preacher Casey was just a workin' man,
And he said, "Unite all you working men."
Killed him in the river some strange man.
Was that a vigilante man?

Oh, why does a vigilante man,
Why does a vigilante man
Carry that sawed-off shot-gun in his hand?
Would he shoot his brother and sister down?

I rambled 'round from town to town,
I rambled 'round from town to town,
And they herded us around like a wild herd of cattle.
Was that the vigilante men?

Have you seen that vigilante man?
Have you seen that vigilante man?
I've heard his name all over this land.

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Woody Guthrie

Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie (July 14, 1912 – October 3, 1967) was an American singer-songwriter and folk musician whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children's songs, ballads and improvised works. He frequently performed with the slogan This Machine Kills Fascists displayed on his guitar. His best-known song is "This Land Is Your Land." Many of his recorded songs are archived in the Library of Congress. Such songwriters as Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Pete Seeger, Joe Strummer, Billy Bragg, Jeff Tweedy and Tom Paxton have acknowledged Guthrie as a major influence. more »

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Written by: WOODY GUTHRIE

Lyrics © T.R.O. INC.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Historical Significance
"Vigilante Man" was written by Woody Guthrie, an American singer-songwriter famous for his folk ballads. The song voices Guthrie's opposition to the vigilante activities during the 1930s and 1940s in the United States.
Song Release and Album
The song was released in 1940 as a part of the album titled "Dust Bowl Ballads."
Style & Composition
The song is composed using the American folk music style, characterized by its simple accompaniment and melody.
Contextual Inspiration
Guthrie penned down "Vigilante Man" after witnessing the working conditions and the treatment of workers during the Great Depression.
Lyrics Interpretation
Lyrically, the song manifests the pain and struggle of the ordinary man against the oppressive and violent forces, represented by the "vigilante man."
Political Perspective
The song is an integral example of Guthrie's political perspective underpinned by empathy for the working class and oppressed. His songs, including "Vigilante Man," significantly influenced the folk revival of the 1960s.
Cover Versions
"Vigilante Man" has been covered by other well-renowned artists, helping maintain the song's relevance and presence. Bruce Springsteen, a prominent figure in American rock music, included the song in his 1996 album "The Ghost of Tom Joad."
Socio-Political Elements
The song showcases the heavy socio-political elements prominent in Guthrie's writing, contributing not only to music but also to the understanding of the era's social and economic conditions.
Impact
"Vigilante Man," along with Guthrie’s other songs, greatly influenced a generation of songwriters, including Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger.
Live Performances
Despite being released in the 1940s, the song continues to be performed live by various artists, testifying to its timeless appeal and endurance.

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