The T-Shirt: Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

The Where Have All the Flowers Gone T-shirt is adapted from the cover of Pete Seeger's 1968 record of the same name. The shirt celebrates Pete's 100th birthday and features an illustration by Irwin Rosenhouse on the front and one of Pete's most timeless quotes and his classic signature on the back. The song, written by Seeger in 1955, is a powerful anti-war lament inspired by a traditional Cossack folk song. It has been adapted and covered by numerous artists worldwide and translated into dozens of languages.

The T-shirt's design

The T-shirt design is inspired by the song "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?"—a powerful anti-war song with roots in the Don Valley. The song was written by folk singer and activist Pete Seeger in 1955, inspired by the traditional Cossack folk song "Koloda-Duda". The T-shirt celebrates the 100th birthday of Pete Seeger and commemorates his legacy as a tireless crusader for social justice, world harmony, and environmental causes.

The front of the T-shirt features a beautiful illustration by Irwin Rosenhouse, adapted from the cover of Seeger's beloved record "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?", released in 1968. The illustration captures the poignant message of the song, conveying the terrible, gaping absences left by war. The soft fabric of the T-shirt is made from 100% pre-shrunk combed ringspun cotton, ensuring both comfort and durability.

The back of the T-shirt showcases one of Pete's most timeless quotes, reflecting his idealism and commitment to social and environmental issues. The quote is accompanied by his classic signature, a reminder of the impact he has left on the world. The T-shirt is available in a range of sizes, from small to double extra-large, ensuring that people of all ages and body types can wear and celebrate Pete Seeger's legacy.

The design of the T-shirt not only pays tribute to Pete Seeger's music but also to his lifelong dedication to making the world a better place. By wearing this T-shirt, one not only expresses their appreciation for Seeger's artistry but also aligns themselves with his values of peace, harmony, and social consciousness. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of war and loss, there is always hope for a better future.

Pete Seeger's life

Pete Seeger was an American folk singer-songwriter, musician, and social activist. He was born on May 3, 1919, at French Hospital in New York City and died on January 27, 2014, at the age of 94.

Seeger came from a musical family; his father, Charles Louis Seeger Jr., was a composer and musicologist, and his mother, Constance de Clyver Seeger, was a concert violinist and teacher at the Juilliard School. Despite his family's classical music background, Seeger was drawn to the ukulele as a child and later to the banjo, which would become his signature instrument.

In the 1940s, Seeger was a fixture on nationwide radio and had a string of hit records as a member of The Weavers, including their recording of Lead Belly's "Goodnight, Irene," which topped the charts for 14 weeks in 1950. However, during the McCarthy era, members of the group were blacklisted, and Seeger himself was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in 1955 due to his alleged involvement in communist activities.

In 1955, while on a plane to Ohio, Seeger crafted the lyrics to one of his most famous songs, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" inspired by an old Cossack lullaby he had scribbled in his notebook. The song, with additional lyrics by Joe Hickerson, became a powerful anti-war lament, and its cheerful folk melody contrasted with its theme of mourning at the ghosts of war.

In the 1960s, Seeger re-emerged as a prominent singer of protest music, supporting causes such as international disarmament, civil rights, workers' rights, environmental causes, and opposition to the Vietnam War. He was a mentor to younger folk artists, including Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, and his songs became anthems for various social movements. "We Shall Overcome," adapted by Seeger from old spirituals, became the anthem of the civil rights movement.

In addition to his musical activism, Seeger was also involved in environmental causes. In 1966, he and his wife, Toshi, founded the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the Hudson River and surrounding waterways.

Throughout his career, Seeger received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1993), the National Medal of Arts (1994), and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1996). He remained engaged in political and environmental causes until his death, leaving behind a legacy of using music as a catalyst for social change.

The song's origins

"Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is a folk song written by American singer-songwriter Pete Seeger. It was inspired by the traditional Cossack folk song "Koloda-Duda" ("Колода-дуда" in Ukrainian), which Seeger had come across in Mikhail Sholokhov's novel "And Quiet Flows the Don". In the novel, a young Cossack named Gregor hears the words of the lullaby coming from the kitchen:

> "And where are the geese? They’ve gone into the reeds. And where are the reeds? The girls have pulled them up. And where are the girls? The girls have taken husbands. And where are the Cossacks? They’ve gone to the war."

In 1955, Seeger was on a plane to Ohio when he came across the lyrics to "Koloda Duda" in an old notebook. He combined these lyrics with the line "long time passing" and set them to the melody of an Irish lumberjack song, "Johnson Says He'll Load More Hay". The same week, Seeger performed an early version of the song at Oberlin College.

In 1959, a man named Joe Hickerson heard the song on Seeger's album "The Rainbow Quest". Hickerson, a summer camp counsellor, introduced it to the children at the camp, who adapted it and gave it a new rhythm. Inspired by their example, Hickerson added two verses of his own:

> "Where have all the soldiers gone? / Gone to graveyards, every one / Where have all the graveyards gone? / Covered with flowers, every one."

In 1960, Hickerson showed the longer version to Seeger, who gave him 20% of the royalties.

The song's meaning

"Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is a folk song by American singer-songwriter Pete Seeger, written in 1955. The song is a powerful anti-war anthem, mourning the deaths of soldiers and those they leave behind. It is inspired by the traditional Cossack lullaby "Koloda-Duda", which Seeger adapted with additional lyrics and an Irish melody. The song's circular structure and rhetorical meditation on death place it firmly within the ubi sunt tradition.

The lyrics of "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" are simple yet poignant. Each verse asks, "Where have all the flowers/girls/young men gone?" and answers with a lament: "Long time passing/ago". The refrain, "Oh, when will you ever learn?" serves as a poignant reminder of the futility of war and the cyclical nature of violence.

The song's origins can be traced back to Seeger's interest in the novel "And Quiet Flows the Don" by Mikhail Sholokhov. The book, set in the 19th century near the Don River border between Russia and Ukraine, features a Cossack soldier singing a folk song as he rides off to war: "Where are the flowers? The girls plucked them / Where are the girls? They're all married / Where are the men? They're all in the army." These lines, combined with the melody of an Irish lumberjack song, formed the basis of "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?".

The song's impact was immediate and far-reaching. Seeger first performed it at Oberlin College in 1955, and it quickly gained popularity among folk singers and activists. Over the years, it has been covered by numerous artists, including The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Marlene Dietrich, who sang it in English, French, and German. Dietrich's performance of the song in Israel broke the taboo against singing in German following World War II.

The song's message of peace and its ability to connect with people across generations and cultures have ensured its enduring legacy. It has been translated into dozens of languages and continues to be a powerful anthem for social and political causes worldwide.

The song's legacy

"Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is a folk song written by American singer-songwriter Pete Seeger in 1955. The song was inspired by the traditional Cossack folk song "Koloda-Duda" and an Irish melody. It was first performed at Oberlin College, one of the few venues that would hire him during the McCarthy era.

The song's simple yet poignant lyrics and catchy melody have made it a favourite among audiences worldwide. It has been recorded and performed by numerous artists in various languages, including English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Japanese, Hungarian, and Ukrainian. "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" has also been adapted and sampled by other musicians, with some adding their own verses to the original.

The song's anti-war message and meditation on death have earned it a place in the ubi sunt tradition. It was included in the New Statesman's list of "Top 20 Political Songs" in 2010. The song was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002 in the Folk category, recognising its qualitative and historical significance.

The legacy of "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" extends beyond its musical influence. It has been used in films, such as the 2001 Czech movie "Rebelové", and performed at significant events like the funeral of Harry Patch, the last British soldier of the First World War, in 2009. The song's impact has been felt across generations and continues to resonate with people worldwide, solidifying its place as a timeless classic in the American lexicon.

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