In 1940 a travelling singer from Oklahoma wrote one of America's finest folk songs.  It may not be the first time that this, the original 'protest' song has been adapted to express people's crossness at politicians' crassness, but 70 years later and here in the Forest of Dean 'This land is your land, this land is my land,'  is still asking us what we mean by freedom.

This land is your land, this land is my land,

From the mighty Severn to the Tintern grand,

From the sacred Forest to the smoke-wreathed valleys,

This land was made for you and me.

 As I went walking by a ribbon of bluebells,

I saw before me St Anthony's Well,

And felt around me your ancient oak trees,

This land was made for you and me.

 I've roamed and rambled and followed your prey,

O'er the dappled waters of the sylvan Wye.

And all around me this voice kept telling me,

'This land was made for you and me.'

 I've pedalled your pathways and ridden your rings,

Chased your hedgerows and your murmuring springs.

Canute was calling as the deer grazed free,

This land was made for you and me.

 The sun was shining as I was strolling

Through the wheat fields waving, 'cross the hilltops rolling,

And I felt within me and saw around me,

This land was made for you and me.

(With thanks and apologies to Arlo Guthrie)

 John Muir, Newnham