Sing It!

A tall, skinny man in blue jeans stands on a stage, one hand on his banjo, the other raised to the crowd of 15,000 people who have come to celebrate his ninetieth birthday. "Sing it!" he shouts, and everyone sings. How did a humble, banjo-playing Harvard University dropout become one of the most influential figures of the twentieth century? This is the story of Pete Seeger—singer, songwriter, social activist, environmentalist—who filled his toolbox with songs and set out to repair whatever in the world was broken. His story intertwines with a century of American history, and readers will be surprised to discover how many familiar songs, people, and projects somehow connect back to this one individual. What was it like for a city boy like Pete to hope freight trains with Woody Guthrie, the free-spirited composter of "This Land Is Your Land"? "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," a song beloved by people all over the world, might have been lost to history had it not been for Pete Seeger. The Hudson River is cleaner than it used to be; what did Pete do to help that happen? Through learning of his life of activism, readers will become links in the chain, inspired to reflect on their own power to make change.

"Meryl Danziger's book Sing It! is a delightful as well as compelling portrait of Pete Seeger." —David Amram

"Teaching young students about the work and music of Pete Seeger is as important as teaching them about Abraham Lincoln. Thanks to Meryl Danziger for writing this book." —Roger McGuinn, lead singer and guitarist of the Byrds

"It’s a lovely read bringing together all of Pete’s commitments, his curiosities, and respect for traditions. I especially will always remember the line, 'Getting paid to sing? It seemed like stealing.' Sort of lets everyone in on the secret, right?" —Bob Flick, The Brothers FourMERYL DANZIGER was raised in a musical household where she was free to explore, experiment, and learn music on her own. She has created stories, song, and plays designed to carry on the legacies of influential musicians. It was one of those plays, written in honor of Pete's ninetieth birthday, which led to the creation of this book. A native New Yorker, Meryl lives in Manhattan and works as founder and director of Music House, a unique, highly individualized alternative to traditional music lessons (www.NYCMusicHouse.org)