Pete Seeger plays this tune written by Tom Paxton in open G tuned down to open F to fit his vocal range. The tab that I wrote out is in Double C tuning. I tune down to Double B to fit Eden’s voice when we play this song. In this video Pete Seeger plays this tune in the up stroke style, if your interested in learning about how to play more like Seeger make sure to check out the book that he wrote called (How to play the 5 string banjo), it’s a classic! Here is an article by the Fretboard Journal about Pete’s influence on the banjo community! Click here
Here’s a video of Tom Paxton with Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, they updated the lyrics to his classic song.
Chorus]
What did you learn in school today
Dear little boy of mine?
What did you learn in school today
Dear little boy of mine?
[Verse 1]
I learned that Washington never told a lie
I learned that soldiers seldom die
I learned that everybody's free
And that's what the teacher said to me
That's what I learned in school today
That's what I learned in school
[Verse 2]
I learned that policemen are my friends
I learned that justice never ends
I learned that murderers die for their crimes
Even if we make a mistake sometimes
And that's what I learned in school today
That's what I learned in school
[Verse 3]
I learned our Government must be strong
It's always right and never wrong
Our leaders are the finest men
And we elect them again and again
And that's what I learned in school today
That's what I learned in school
[Verse 4]
I learned that war is not so bad
I learned about the great ones we have had
We fought in Germany and in France
And someday I might get my chance
And that's what I learned in school today
That's what I learned in school
What Did You Learn In School Today TAB Download
What Did You Learn In School Today Strum Machine Chords
Eden rewrote some of the lyrics to Tom Paxton’s song to meet the times. Folk music is music of the people and reflects the moment.
Chorus]
What did you learn in school today
Dear little child of mine?
What did you learn in school today
Dear little child of mine?
[Verse 1]
I learned that Trump is from on high
I learned his felonies are a lie
I learned that freedom isn’t free
The cost is soldiers in our streets
That's what I learned in school today
That's what I learned in school
[Verse 2]
I learned that ICE are my friends
Their 10 bullet justice never ends
If you comply, you will not die
So drop your rights, put your hands in the sky
That's what I learned in school today
That's what I learned in school
[Verse 3]
I learned our Government must be strong
It's always right and never wrong
Domestic terrorists are abound
We’ll spray and shoot them to the ground
That's what I learned in school today
That's what I learned in school
[Verse 4]
I learned that war is not so bad
I learned of new ones we will have
We’ll fight for Greenland, but not our own
Deny your eyes, believe what your shown
That's what I learned in school today
That's what I learned in school
