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On a fine spring day with trees in soft green bloom, I left Manhattan for Pete Seeger’s place, near Beacon NY, courtesy of his longtime friend and noted videographer Jim Brown. During the drive Jim and I talked non-stop: about my singer-songwriter beginnings, about the early folk music scene, Jim’s work with Pete and other folk greats, the Occupy movement, the state of the world. From a local Japanese restaurant we picked up sushi enough for us and Pete, wife Toshi, and daughter Tinya.

A friendly border collie was all over me as I entered the house, the place Pete is said to have built himself decades ago (likely with wife Toshi’s help) with homebuilding plans from the library. And there he was, with his back to us, the 92-year-old icon of folk music and all things good. When he did come over and we shook hands, he launched into a story about everyone being cousins, as he tells school kids, and the story turned into a song, and soon I was harmonizing with him on the chorus. A surprise duet: unrehearsed, unrecorded and damn good.

Then Pete was holding court, telling one tale after another it seemed. He first went on and on about his father who was a musicologist. The details came a plenty, and plenty quick; it was hard to keep up with him. Daughter Tinya hadn’t yet made an appearance. I’d heard that Toshi, now 85, hadn’t been well for some time and when I saw her in a wheelchair, not quite all there, I understood. Her presence is lovely even as her lucidity comes and goes. Tinya did come join us, the sushi got put on the dining table, and we got around to eating. Good sushi, it hit the spot.

I showed the gifts I’d brought: my autobiography, a DVD of my recent work, a brochure of my nonprofit organization, and signed copies of my Covenant For Honouring Children. These seemed to put Pete’s stories on pause, giving way to the necessary descriptions and related information. The autobiography’s photos of my father’s portraiture were of interest.

I told Pete I’d come to say thank you for all that he had given me over the years. For the way his songs had stirred me and got me singing them. For the example of courage in his life that inspired me and filled me with awe. For all that his music and his life has given to so many.

At one point I borrowed Jim’s guitar and, with Pete’s okay, sang him a few songs: “The More We Get Together,” “All I Really Need,” “Like Me And You,” and “Baby Beluga,” on which Pete softly joined the chorus. His voice has lost its luster, but not its spirit.

In his day, Pete Seeger was the king of sing-alongs, a master at prompting audience participation. He didn’t just expect it, he asked for it. Demanded it. I too came to know the pleasure and power of people singing together. That became a hallmark of my family concerts.

I told Pete I was writing a tribute song for him, so my audiences might come to know his songs. (Now I’m thinking about a Raffi Sings Seeger CD.) He’s about 30 years older than me, which means that many who know my music may not know his. And what a treasure trove his repertoire is. Spanning decades, civil rights marches, anti-war rallies, the feminist movement and more, Pete’s musical passion gave people a voice and songs to sing.

Through the “folk process” by which people change folk songs, Pete changed “We Will Overcome” to “shall” overcome. That says a lot about the man, his courage and determination. Over the decades he took on just about every social justice issue you can name. And by the end he took on the Hudson River pollution with the sloop Clearwater and got the river cleaned up.

Pete is still very much his own man, a principled guy who has sung about and supported a bundle of causes. That he may have felt conflicted about commercial success (including his own) is understandable. His ilk never dreamed they’d make any money, let alone have hits and cover versions of their songs. He speaks not of fame or celebrities but of millions of people each doing their little bit for a better world.

Pete Seeger’s music should be known to students everywhere. His book, Where Have All The Flowers Gone, is an invaluable resource. Adding to recent Seeger tributes by Bruce Springsteen and others may come a song (or two) by a children’s troubadour who owes a lot to the guy who greatly inspired him. Turning this world around is the work of millions. We’ve got a hammer, a bell, and songs to sing all over this land.

Raffi Cavoukian, C.M., O.B.C., is best known as Raffi, renowned singer, author, children’s champion and ecology advocate. Raffi’s numerous awards include the Order of Canada, the Global 500 Roll, and three honorary degrees. Fifteen million sales of his children’s albums, books, and DVDs have sprouted a generation of fans now enjoying Raffi songs with their own kids. An outspoken advocate of commercial‐free childhood, Raffi is founder and chair of Centre For Child Honouring. www.childhonouring.org

 

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Raffi Cavoukian

Raffi Cavoukian, C.M., O.B.C., founder and chair of the Centre for Child Honouring, is best known as Raffi-singer, author, children’s champion, ecology advocate and entrepreneur. Member of the...