There's Gutters Lined in Song

In 1947, Andrew Kovaly taught Pete Seeger a song he had written in Slovakian, called "I Lie in the American Land." The song told the true story of a co-worker of Kovaly's who had immigrated to Pittsburgh from Slovakia, saved enough money to send for his family, but was killed in a mine accident before the family arrived. Seeger recorded an English version of the song, called "He Lies in the American Land"; that song inspired the story told in Bruce Springsteen's "American Land."

The music for "American Land" is Celtic in feel. Although no specific song has been identified as an inspiration for the melody, "American Land" bears a strong resemblence to the traditional Scottish song "Gallant Forty-Twa." Click here for a performance of "Gallant Forty-Twa" by Plain Salt.

Bruce Springsteen first performed "American Land" towards the end of his US Tour supporting "The Seeger Sessions, and released "American Land" on "The Seeger Sessions American Land Edition."