Martin Leahy shares cover of Woody Guthrie's 'This Land Is Your Land'

Cork musician and activist Martin Leahy has released a cover of Woody Guthrie’s legendary song ‘This Land Is Your Land’.

Leahy’s version features new lyrics, which he wrote alongside Gary Baus, to include Irish place names.

The accompanying video features many well-known artists and activists from a variety of backgrounds, including John Spillane, Izzeddeen Alkarajeh, Tadhg Hickey, Caitriona Twomey and the staff at Cork Penny Dinners and more.

The occasion isn’t the first time Leahy has re-jigged a song, having recently re-written Israel’s Eurovision entry with ‘You’ll Never Bury Palestine’, which was performed by Palestinian singer Leen.

The celebrated songsmith has also spent over two years engaging in a unique housing crisis protest every fortnight outside Leinster House, where he performs his tune ‘Everyone Should Have a Home’, on loop, for an hour straight.

“As long as it feels worthwhile I’ll keep doing it," Leahy told Hot Press. "Many of the freedoms we enjoy today are because of groups or individuals protesting that eventually led to change. It’s part of my life now, and it’s been a very heartening and inspiring journey.”

‘This Land Is Your Land’, originally recorded by Woody Guthrie in November 1944, went on to influence a myriad of artists, most notably leaving an impression on a young Bob Dylan.