GREENFIELD — The Rev. Sarah Pirtle thinks of Pete Seeger every day. To her, Seeger is a role model as a musician, an activist, a teacher and a guide who “sits on my shoulder.”
That’s why a special Sunday service at All Souls Church, Unitarian Universalist, was a mixture of folk music, spiritual lessons and stories about Seeger. Pirtle gave tribute to Seeger, sharing stories and songs in honor of the late folk music legend’s 100th birth anniversary.
Mixed with the playing of guitarist Michael Nix, and weaving in spiritual lessons, Pirtle led the crowd in singing and reflection for more than an hour.
“Oh, had I a golden thread, and a needle so fine, I would weave a magic strand of rainbow design,” Pirtle sang, covering Seeger’s song “Oh, Had I a Golden Thread.”
To Pirtle, Seeger wasn’t only an inspiration — someone who held peace and love as the highest values — but someone she knew. As a young musician, Pirtle played at the Hudson River Clearwater Folk Festival, and one of her songs, “Two Hands Hold the Earth,” became a favorite song of Seeger’s grandson. She would come to know Seeger later, when he offered encouragement to her and her organization Children’s Music Network.
Pirtle went on to become a recognized musician and music teacher, as well as a writer, activist and the facilitator of communication seminars. All along the way, Seeger was in the back of her head. She shared the reasons Seeger, who died in 2014 but would have turned 100 this May 3, has been a lifelong guide.
“We’re celebrating the deep intentions of Pete’s soul… all he wanted to give the world,” Pirtle said.
Pirtle used songs by Seeger as lessons on the importance of human unity.
“So let’s feel how much he meant those words, having a ‘golden thread,’ He says, ‘We have that power to take out that same golden thread and weave ourselves together,’” Pirtle said. “That solidarity is a key way of understanding Pete, hearing Pete, that was always a part of his being.”
Pirtle recalled Seeger sitting before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in 1955, and being questioned by Congress about his perceived radical liberal beliefs and political connections. Seeger, who had past communist links, refused to name any of his friends with similar views.
His silence didn’t help his career, Pirtle said, and Seeger was banned from being played on certain radio stations, but he did what he thought was right.
Still, Seeger represents to Pirtle someone who stands up for what they believe in — performing at an anti-racism event in Washington, D.C., during periods of segregation, calling for the Hudson River to be cleaned up and offering words of encouragement to musicians, like Pirtle, during late nights at the Clearwater Folk Festival.
For all of that, Pirtle had a gift of her own for Seeger. Near the end of Sunday’s session, Pirtle and Nix played a medley of Seeger songs. Spliced into the lyrics, at the end of each line, the whole crowd chanted, “Thanks Pete!”
Reach David McLellan at dmclellan@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.