The House I Live In

Written by: Lewis Allen (words) and Earl Robinson (music)

Information

This became a patriotic anthem in America during World War II. The lyrics describe the wonderful things about the country, with images of the era like the grocer, the butcher, and the churchyard. The "house" is a metaphor for the country

Written in 1943 with lyrics by Abel Meeropol and music by Earl Robinson. Meeropol, who wrote it under the pen name Lewis Allan, had very liberal views and mixed feelings about America. He loved the constitutional rights and freedoms that America was based on, but hated the way people of other races, religions, and political views were often treated. His lyrics do not reflect the way he thought America was, but what it had the potential to be. With the country under attack, he wanted to express why it was worth fighting for

More information about this song on Songfacts.com.

Albums    Cooke's Tour

Lyrics

the house I live in
a plot of earth, a street
the grocer and the butcher
and the people that I meet
the children in the playground
the faces that I see
all races, all religions
that's a miracle to me

the place I work in
the worker at my side
the little town or city
where my people lived and died
the howdie and the handshake
the air of feeling free
the right to speak my mind out
that's a miracle to me

the things I see about me
the big things and the small
the little corner newstand
and the howls a mile tall
the wedding in the churchyard
the laughter and the tears
the dream that's been a-growing for a 150 year

the town I live in
the street, the house, the room
the pavement of the city
are a garden all in bloom
the church the shool the clubhouse
the million lights I see
but especially the people
that's a miracle to me

Also recorded by

Tony Danza, Mahalia Jackson, The Ravens, Paul Robeson, Sonny Rollins, Frank Sinatra, Josh White