In Memory of Pete Seeger, 1919-2014

Split This Rock mourns the loss of Pete Seeger, folk singer, organizer, voice for all of us in the struggle for justice. We celebrate his extraordinary life and courage.

Below, we are proud to republish a poem in Pete's honor by 2012 featured poet Kathy Engel. Please feel free to pass it on.

A radio documentary of Pete's life is here.

From an interview on Democracy Now! -

AMY GOODMAN: And for someone who isn’t so hopeful, who is listening to this right now, trying to find their way, what would you say?

PETE SEEGER: Realize that little things lead to bigger things. That’s what Seeds is all about. And this wonderful parable in the New Testament: the sower scatters seeds. Some seeds fall in the pathway and get stamped on, and they don’t grow. Some fall on the rocks, and they don’t grow. But some seeds fall on fallow ground, and they grow and multiply a thousand fold. Who knows where some good little thing that you’ve done may bring results years later that you never dreamed of?

— Interview, Democracy Now, May 4, 2009

Dad, Pete and Obama                                                           

When Pete sang at the Lincoln Memorial I called to ash.

I had played Pete as your last breath slipped out, 

the rest of you already gone.

Pete ushered you; your hero sang for the man

whose name you spoke the week you died:

Obama, you said, sipping water,

I believe something is happening, don’t you?

Pete with his grandson who lived in Nicaragua,

the country we loved in its burning birth, Pete

who wouldn’t testify, Pete Civil Rights, Pete Peace,

Pete 1199, Pete this land, our land—

Pete Clearwater, Pete and Toshi, Pete and

Brother Kirkpatrick, Pete and June reading poems

at the UN Rally circa 1983, Pete the unwavering

for all who were taken, all who picketed and as Pete said

for the young people who taught us not to be afraid

those Montgomery sit-in days, Pete in his power,

in the place of power, suspenders and banjo, train

chug of workers belting out a new old gusty day, ghosts

of resistance swaying past the monument, feeding

the hungry crowd, this day when Pete sang

at the Lincoln Memorial I called to you

who took a bus alone to D.C. at 80 to protest:

I called to your ash, Dad, who took me there first.

                                                                                    Kathy Engel 2009

Originally published in Adanna. Used by permission.