
- Playing
- Who's Gonna Build Your Wall
- From
- Western Folklife Center Media
Tom Russell is a regular performer at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, who lives near the U.S. and Mexican border in the town of Canutillo, Texas. In this song, titled "Who's Gonna Build Your Wall?", he asks if skilled illegal workers may be critical to building the very wall that separates Mexico from the United States. Tom says that although it is not a political song, feelings run high when it comes to the subject of immigration, which makes it a good premise for a song.
More from Western Folklife Center Media
Spy Hop: Making Music, Changing Lives
(08:42)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
In Salt Lake City, an organization called Spy Hop is harnessing the power of music to help "at risk" youth turn their lives around. The Western Folklife Center's Taki ...
Silver Bells
(04:38)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Composer Ray Evans penned the Christmas classic, "Silver Bells." He discusses how "Silver Bells" came to be in What's in a Song.
It Takes A Whole Village
(03:56)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
The African Children's Choir sings, "It Takes A Whole Village." Chimera Victor discusses the song and the group on What's in a Song.
Wildfire
(04:43)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Michael Martin Murphy discusses the inspiration for his song, "Wildfire" on What's in a Song.
Twilight
(04:24)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Mary Chapin Carpenter discusses her song "Twilight" on What's in a Song.
Mariachi
(03:09)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
High School students explain the importance of mariachi music in this edition of What's in a Song.
Harvest Time
(03:18)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Stephanie Davis talks about her song, "Harvest Time" on What's in a Song.
Debt
(03:00)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Brenn Hill talks about his song, "Debt" on What's in a Song.
Ruby
(03:42)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Bluegrass singer Amber Collins discusses the old classic, "Ruby."
Cornbread Nation
(02:35)
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Songwriter Tim O’Brien talks about his song, "Cornbread Nation" on the series, What's in a Song.
Piece Description
Tom Russell is a regular performer at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, who lives near the U.S. and Mexican border in the town of Canutillo, Texas. In this song, titled "Who's Gonna Build Your Wall?", he asks if skilled illegal workers may be critical to building the very wall that separates Mexico from the United States. Tom says that although it is not a political song, feelings run high when it comes to the subject of immigration, which makes it a good premise for a song.