This adaptation of a Woody Guthrie song was created by a friend to be used in protest of Toxic High-volume Slick-water Hydro-Fracking in the Marcellus Shale, but it speaks to a much wider aspect of our violated economy.

This Land Was Your Land

(sung by landmen)

This land was your land

but now it’s my land

from clearcut forests

to the Gulf and tar sands.

From poisoned deserts

to 3 Mile Island…

This land was made

for industry.

This land was your land

but now it’s my land

from credit default swaps

to Super Wal-marts,

from factory farming

to Iraq, my ex-darling…

This world was made

for industry.

This land was your land

but now it’s my land

you signed the paper

we’re in a hurry.

We gave you money

so what’s your worry?

This earth was made

for industry.

As I went walking a crystal creek bed

heard water chanting

the rocks were dancing

saw children swimming

the hillside singing

this land was made for you and me.

Adapted by John Burger, 2010