All You Fascists Are Bound to Lose

Has any American song writer, save, perhaps, Hank Williams, ever approached the honesty or emotional power of Woody Guthrie? Has any American artist ever so artfully fused sentiment and politics like Guthrie? Woody was way alternative, not only before alternative was cool, but before it was much conceivable. Even his ditties and throwaways were often haunting and beautiful. ("Ingrid Bergman, Ingrid Bergman\\\\let's go make a picture\\\\On the island of Stromboli, Ingrid Bergman".) I really love "California Stars":

I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars

I'd love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars.

I'd like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed and make another day
Underneat my California stars

They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
So, I'd gives this world
just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars

If you like Woody Guthrie, or just good American music, grab a copy of Mermaid Avenue, a collection of previously unrecorded Guthrie tunes by Billy Bragg and Wilco (say hi to Chuck Taggart while you're there). "California Stars" isn't even the best song on the album. A (much-anticipated-by-me) second collection of Guthrie tunes, Mermaid Avenue Vol. II, is due out at the end of May. Highly Recommended.