Pete Seeger, a prominent singer of protest music in support of international disarmament, civil rights, counterculture and environmental causes, an amazing songwriter, and in the words of my father, "The champion saint of singing", passed away two days ago at the full and well lived age of 94.
From playing with Bruce Springsteen at Obama's inauguration, being blacklisted and appearing before the House Un-American Activities Committee during the Red Scare, to popularizing songs such as 'We Shall Overcome' which became the anthem for the entire Civil Rights Movement, Seeger was never one to sit idly by, and his songwriting, political activism, and deep goodness continue to toll throughout the land from California to the New York island; from the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters.
His song 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone' is a gorgeous tune that has gone down as one of the great political songs of history. Poignant and a reminder not just of the sadness of war, but of our destruction of the environment as well.
A truly amazing song of hope, perseverance, 'We Shall Overcome' is lovely. If you skip ahead to 2:30, Seeger speaks eloquently about how the lyric "we are not afraid" came into being, and how the young people taught the whole world a lesson. Beautiful. Seeger certainly overcame much, and helped millions overcome even more. Rest In Peace Pete, you'll be missed.
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