Where politics and music teaching may intersect. My conundrum.
By The Horse
@TheHorse (232744)
Walnut Creek, California
December 5, 2025 12:46pm CST
I have a guitar student whose parents are first generation immigrants from Russia. My student, Kate, has been with me for three years. She is 16 now. She is a really good student, and I have taught her several Jesse Winchester tunes, several John Prine tunes, Blackbird by the Beatles, All Blues by Miles Davis, Your Mind is on Vacation,by Mose Allison, and a bunch of others.
Right now,I am relearning Woody Guthrie's Deportees, and would love to teach it to her. It was written in 1948, and is timely again now. Its about Mexican immigrants who died in a fiery crash of a plane taking them back to Mexico. Way back when.
But it is political.
Kate and I have never discussed why her parents came here from Russia, nor what their political leanings are. I would hate to lose her as a student for teaching her a "Lefty" tune. I have found that many immigrants from Eastern Europe are actually quite Conservative politically. Some even supported Donald Trump at one point or another.
Should I ask Kate about her parents, and why they came to the US some 20 years ago? Should I be bold and just teach her the song, without much introduction? Should I save the song for another time?
These are the things I am considering right now.
I'll attach the song,as done by my friend Cyrus Clarke, formerly of the Cache Valley Drifters. It's my favorite version.
Let me know what you think, both about the song and my conundrum.
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13 people like this
16 responses
@GardenGerty (166676)
• United States
13m
I would say skip it for now. Maybe ask her how she feels about political songs. Even if it is one of your favorites, you do not want to poison the well for a really good student, when there are thousands of other songs you could teach her.
@LeaPea2417 (39091)
• Toccoa, Georgia
3h
I would ask her why her parents came to the US 20 years ago.
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (51711)
• Mojave, California
34m
That is actually a great point. Not many think of that way. Its like what you see is what you get kind of.
There is always hidden things where people build things up and its disappointing when it was built up to much, but most people would think you have a general idea of what to expect, especially in this day in age. You can't come here and just crap on everything. You left for a reason and came here for a reason.
Freedom in our songs would be one of the last things I would ever worry about from anyone. That's the one thing that binds societies and make them go, crap, are we doing this right?
@Plethos (13623)
• United States
5h
If a song is great, it's great, regardless of political view. I appreciate Rage Against the Machine, but I don't really care for their liberal lyrics.
Your "lefty" tune is based on an actual event, so it's more historical based. Music is always interpreted differently by people. It's individualism interpretation.
Most of the 60's rock I like is mostly leftist. If you love music overall, you'll appreciate something in the song.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (81101)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1h
If she's 16, I think she's old enough to decide what songs she wants to learn. If you're concerned, you can talk to her about if her parents have rules or music they don't want her learning, without prying to much into their personal lives.
@crossbones27 (51711)
• Mojave, California
1h
I find most places conservative than liberal besides most of Europe, Canada, and Australia, kind of.. Even Japan, they absolutely love American music. When I was there in the 90's, anything American and they would go crazy.
I always asked why is that and they go because are parents are very strict and we not allowed to have the freedom of expression you guys have.
I liked the song, I find it funny if that is considered a lefty tune. 
@wolfgirl569 (125945)
• Marion, Ohio
1h
I think I would find a different one for now. Or ask her if she wants to learn it and let her know what it says.
@wolfgirl569 (125945)
• Marion, Ohio
2h
I think I would find a different one for now. Or ask her if she wants to learn it and let her know what it says.
@wolfgirl569 (125945)
• Marion, Ohio
2h
I think I would find a different one for now. Or ask her if she wants to learn it and let her know what it says.
@wolfgirl569 (125945)
• Marion, Ohio
2h
I think I would find a different one for now. Or ask her if she wants to learn it and let her know what it says.
@RasmaSandra (91499)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1h
I like the song jsut not sure about teacing it but I would probahly say why not, I meant my parents had to escape from Latvia back during WW II and in my culture there are many different songs in both English and Latvian and I have embrassed both cultures, Things happen immigration is a way of life and my parents were not together when they left but they both faced threat mom would have been sent to Siberia and my dad being a Latvian writer and poet and very patriotic was going to lose his head literally. They had not choice at all,
@DaddyEvil (162969)
• United States
4h
I think I'd tell her there's a song you would like to teach her but it could be taken as political and you don't know how she/her parents would feel about it and see what she says. Don't ask about why they came to the US. If she wants to tell you that, she'll tell you after you introduce the subject. Do have a copy of the song printed out so she can read the lyrics and decide if it would offend her parents and if she wants to learn it.
You're in a delicate position. I'd hate for you to lose a student you really enjoy teaching. Good luck with it, pony, whatever you ultimately decide to do. You have good judgement so I'd trust you teaching Pretty whatever if she were your student.
@LindaOHio (207549)
• United States
3h
DE has a good suggestion. Just explain it to her and let her decide. Good luck!
