Jesus Christ

Woody Guthrie

About Jesus Christ

"Jesus Christ" is a song written in 1940 by Woody Guthrie. The song tells in eight verses what Jesus preached in his time, especially about the rich and the poor, and that he was killed by different groups who rejected his preaching ("they laid Jesus Christ in his grave"). The ninth verse says that Jesus would have been killed by modern capitalist society just as he was in his own time. The song was partially sung and played on the piano by the Guthrie character in the 1976 biographical film Bound For Glory, set to the same tune as the folk ballad "Jesse James". "I wrote this song looking out of a rooming house window in New York City in the winter of Nineteen and Forty. I thought I had to put down on paper how I felt about the rich folks and the poor ones." 


Year:
2012
4:15
45 

Lyrics currently unavailable…


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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20 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Jesus Christ" is a folk song written and performed by Woody Guthrie, a prominent American songwriter and singer who greatly influenced the folk music scene.
Release Time
This song was recorded in the year 1940, during the most prolific period of Guthrie's career.
Thematic Content
"Jesus Christ" presents a socially-conscious view of the life of Jesus Christ, framing him as a pro-working class figure who was killed because he went against the powerful, wealthy elites. Guthrie thus used the song as a protest against economic and social inequality.
Cover Versions
Many artists have covered "Jesus Christ," including U2, a well-known Irish rock band, demonstrating the influence and popularity of Guthrie's music.
Album Association
Woody Guthrie's "Jesus Christ" is part of the album "This Land is Your Land: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1,” which is a significant marker of Guthrie's massive contribution to the American music scene.
Live Performances
While Woody Guthrie himself did not perform the song in many live shows due to his escalating health issues, many other artists have included it in their live sets paying tribute to his impact on folk music.
Music Style
Woody Guthrie’s “Jesus Christ” is a classic example of his topical songwriting method wherein he composed lyrics addressing relevant social issues set to traditional melodies.
Song Influence
The song has played a significant role in not only folk music but has also influenced genres such as punk rock. Joe Strummer of The Clash cited Woodie Guthrie, and by extension songs like "Jesus Christ," as an influence on his music.
Public Domain
Like most of Guthrie's music, "Jesus Christ" is in the public domain, meaning anyone is free to cover or modify the song without seeking permission or paying royalties.
Folk Legacy
Guthrie's "Jesus Christ" is often cited as a quintessential folk song that uses religious imagery for social commentary, making it a significant fixture in the history of American folk music.
Release Details
"Jesus Christ" is one of the numerous songs written by Woody Guthrie. Although he penned it in 1940, the song was not officially released until sixteen years later, in 1956.
Political Context
Significantly, the song was written at a time when Guthrie was becoming deeply involved in leftist politics. The song offers a socio-political interpretation of Jesus's life, reflecting Guthrie's socialist beliefs.
Religious Perspective
"Jesus Christ" is often considered a ?gospel song', where Woody presents Jesus Christ in a more humanistic light rather than a divine being. Jesus is depicted as a social fighter who stands for justice and equality.
Cover Versions
Various artists have covered this song, including Bob Dylan, U2, and Joan Baez, thereby ensuring its longevity and continued relevance.
Song’s Theme
The song draws numerous parallels between the situations Jesus faced in biblical times and issues in modern society, including wealth disparity and social injustice.
Album Inclusion
The song "Jesus Christ" is included in Guthrie's album "Ballads of Sacco & Vanzetti," a tribute to two Italian immigrants executed in America for a crime many believe they did not commit. This, too, reflects Woody's passion for social justice.
Guthrie's Songwriting Style
The structure and lyrics of this song encapsulate Guthrie's notable songwriting style, which is often straightforward and story-based, with a strong emphasis on vivid imagery.
Song’s Influence
This song, like many of Guthrie's works, influenced numerous folk musicians in subsequent generations, contributing to the folk revival of the 1960s.
Modern Releases
Guthrie neither recorded nor published "Jesus Christ," like most of his songs during his lifetime. It was part of later compilations, the most recent one being "Woody Guthrie: The Tribute Concerts" in 2017.
Message of the Song
"Jesus Christ" emphasizes the idea of standing up for the less fortunate, fighting for justice and equality—all hallmarks of the Christian faith—but they are also primary tenets of Guthrie's political ideology.

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