Click below to hear Bumba take another go at this classic by Pete Seeger. As much as Pete has been celebrated and recognized recently in his old age, I feel he remains vastly under-appreciated. As a song writer he was brilliant. This song, Oh Had I A Golden Thread, epitimizes and encapsulates Pete’s goals and aspirations as a musician and activist. It carries such a beautiful message, as does Pete himself.
I remember watching Pete Seeger and his “Rainbow Quest” show on the old Channel 13 back in NY. I was just starting to learn guitar at the time and knew two chords: A and D. And there was Pete fingering a D chord on his guitar. And there was Pete a’preachin’ and a’squawkin’ about how we all should feel free to play and sing this music – and enjoy these songs which belong to the people (no copyright nonsense for Pete): this folk music, this country music, which has been going on for generation upon generation all over the world. “Far over the waters, I’d reach my magic strand…”
Here are the lyrics. And please sing along.
And needle so fine
I’ve weave a magic strand
Of rainbow design
Of rainbow design.
In it I’d weave the bravery
Of women giving birth,
In it I would weave the innocence
Of children over all the earth,
Children of all earth.
Show my brothers and sisters
My rainbow design,
Bind up this sorry world
With hand and heart and mind,
Hand and heart and mind.
Far over the waters
I’d reach my magic band
To every human being
So they would understand,
So they’d understand
An Occasional Story 
I have not heard the original as sung by Pete; nonetheless. I have no hesitation in stating that your rendering is replete with the feel and stringing accompaniment that would have made Pete proud. Thanks for featuring the lyric and your singing here…
Thank you!
“In it I’d weave the bravery
Of women giving birth:”
https://soundcloud.com/fingerstyle_guitar/st-james-infirmary-memories
thank you for your music!
Loverly.. a nice treat for me this afternoon!
Nice to hear.
I like the finger picking here — I think your voice definitely is great for folk tunes too.
Thank you. That’s nice to hear.
I grew up listening to Pete Seeger and the Weavers. It was my great privilege to hear him perform at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough. It was years ago, and he had locked his guitar in the car. He was much older than I expected, and his voice seemed shakey. But he went on anyway, leading his audience in many of the ballads that I had heard as a kid, and it was a fine, brave performance that brought tears to my eyes. I love that man!
I saw Pete perform a number of times. And surely he was one of the most charismatic performers I’ve seen. But it was never about him – in very sharp contrast to the usual commercial approach that we’ve gotten used to. Pete made the audience participate. It was always an uplifting experience. Yes, Pete is a very fine man. I feel very grateful to him.
Pete Seeger has spent a lifetime fighting for freedom and justice. I really admire him too.
what did you think of springsteen’s pete seeger tribute album? i liked it a lot.
I only heard a couple of songs. Will have to check it out. Springstein’s terrific, and I thought he was doing the world a good service by drawing its attention to Pete.
yup. that was his intention. i think it worked well.
Really nice, Bumba. Like Randy, I was also reminded of Dylan. Your voice adds to that.
Thanks. Glad you liked it.
Nice interlude!
Thank you!
Great song. I’d not heard it before and I did find myself singing along with him.
I love his off beat rhythm and pickings, and strangely timed vocal entries into the music which makes the song more evocative and interesting. I am a Dylan lover and heard his roots here in Pete’s music. Also felt John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” here too in the lyrics.
Thank, Randy
That was me singing. So thanks for those compliments. You should check out Pete Seeger. He usually played this one on the banjo. A lot of other singers have also done this song.
wow…. very nice. Had me fooled (obviously)
but a fool and his music are soon parted