Woody Guthrie (Live July 7, 1944)

This rare segment of BBC Radio's Children's Hour features a brief interview with folk singer Woody Guthrie. He recorded "The Wabash Cannonball" and "900 Miles" for this broadcast.

Woody was a Merchant Marine, washing dishes on a Liberty Ship, the troop ship Sea Porpoise which carried troops to the Normandy beach in early July 1944. After the troops were sent ashore, the ship hit a mine but made its way back to England; Woody was routed through London toward Glasgow, Scotland, toward the United States. On a song manuscript dated "July 13th, 1944", Woody wrote, "this train is carrying me outside from London now; on up towards Belfast, and Glasgow."

While in London, he went to the offices of the BBC where he introduced himself as a member of The Martins and the Coys and was given the opportunity to sing on the Children's Hour. After an autobiographical statement, he was recorded singing with his guitar accompaniment two railroad songs.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Woody Guthrie
• Guthrie
• 1944
• Live
• Rare
• Very Rare
• Wabash Cannonball
• 900 Miles
• Folk
• Music
• BBC
• Radio

[oldschoolpunkchris1]

wow woody really lived the life id love to live

[MusicRevisited]

@oldschoolpunkchris1 He lived such an amazing life. If you're interested, I would recommend Woody's autobiography entitled "Bound For Glory." It's a very good read for both the historical and music perspective.

[RT66TBIRD]

I love the snobbish Brit woman chuckling at Woody's comments. Probably exactly the kind of person that Woody despised. I love the chuckle after he mentions picking up nickels singing in the saloons-I guess this is some children's radio show. I can just picture Woody walking into the studio, unshaven, with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth with "This Machine Kills Facsists" on his guitar. Thanks for finding this.

[jimsters2]

This just shows how old it is. They said there was only 48 states and just some of the words they use.

[jrobjer]

@OptimismBlues2010 check out Woody, Cisco and Me by Jim Longhi, which recounts the colorful exploits of Woody and his friends in the merchant marine. A great blue-collar classic!

[Marcus538]

@RT66TBIRD she was not being snobbish at all she is posh and well spoken and very polite and there are many people like this who have a genuine interest in other people and made some excellent prograammes, snobbery is looking down on people think tony blair, and women like this give me the horn

[paulhallart]

I used 2 warsh dishes in the Army, tho in the '60's It was sort of semi automatic.  It reminded me of the history of the country: George Washing Ton.

[brownraf56]

@OptimismBlues2010 i was washing dishes last night singing this in my head haha

[OptimismBlues2010]

I work as a dishwasher part time. By chance I listen to folk music while I wash (Woody included). I had no idea he served as a mess man as a merchant marine. Something about that makes me a bigger fan of his.

[oldschoolpunkchris1]

and once more 900 miles brings goose bumbs woody really sings with emotion

[25FIREBALL]

back in the early 50s the cannon ball went through forest park in st.louis,,i remember standing on a foot bridge as it passed under my feet,,funny the things you remember at 65