Philadelphia Lawyer

artist:Woody Guthrie

, writer:Woody Guthrie

Song Info

Title: Philadelphia Lawyer

Artist: Woody Guthrie

Writer: Woody Guthrie

Song Types: Country, Folk

Key: C

Info: "Philadelphia lawyer" is a term to describe a lawyer who knows the most detailed and minute points of law or is an exceptionally competent lawyer. Its first known usage dates back to 1788

Woodrow Wilson Guthrie (July 14, 1912 �" October 3, 1967) was an American singer-songwriter and composer who was one of the most significant figures in American folk music. His work focused on themes of American socialism and anti-fascism and has inspired many generations both politically and musically with songs such as "This Land Is Your Land".

Guthrie wrote hundreds of country, folk, and children's songs, along with ballads and improvised works. Dust Bowl Ballads, Guthrie's album of songs about the Dust Bowl period, was included on Mojo magazine's list of 100 Records That Changed the World,[9]  and many of his recorded songs are archived in the Library of Congress.[10]  Songwriters who have acknowledged Guthrie as a major influence on their work include Steve Earle, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Phil Ochs, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Donovan, Robert Hunter, Harry Chapin, John Mellencamp, Pete Seeger, Andy Irvine, Joe Strummer, Billy Bragg, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Jeff Tweedy, Tom Paxton, Brian Fallon, Sean Bonnette, and Sixto Rodríguez. He frequently performed with the message "This machine kills fascists" displayed on his guitar.

In the summer of 1937 Woody Guthrie was performing with "Lefty Lou" Crissman. She showed Woody an article about a Philadelphia lawyer being shot in Reno, Nevada. He found it humorous and penned the song "Reno Blues". As was the case with many Woody Guthrie tunes, the music was based on an older tune, the music from "The Lone Green Valley", also known as "The Jealous Lover." (The music is also related "Omie Wise" and "Banks of the Ohio"). Woody and Lefty Lou performed this song in bars all over California, but never recorded it. Rose Maddox learned the song from them and recorded it as "Philadelphia Lawyer" (which is how it's known now). Woody recorded "Philadelphia Lawyer" in 1944 and it was eventually released in 1964.

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Philadelphia Lawyer

artist:Woody Guthrie

, writer:Woody Guthrie

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