Pete Seeger grand frère de Mike, ami de Bob Dylan et Leadbelly et figure essentielle de la protestation politique américaine de gauche des années 40 à 70. Cette chanson parle de la propagande de nos démocraties modernes qui peut transparaître parfois dans l'enseignement scolaire; ce que Bourdieu appellera le discours dominant. Son banjo est d'une facture typique des Appalaches, petite caisse et manche fretless.
Les paroles:
What did you learn in school today, Dear little boy of mine? What did you learn in school today, Dear little boy of mine? 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.
What did you learn in school today, Dear little boy of mine? What did you learn in school today, Dear little boy of mine? 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. That's what I learned in school today. That's what I learned in school.
What did you learn in school today, Dear little boy of mine? What did you learn in school today, Dear little boy of mine? 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. That's what I learned in school today. That's what I learned in school.
What did you learn in school today, Dear little boy of mine? What did you learn in school today, Dear little boy of mine? I learned that war is not so bad. I learned of the great ones we have had. We fought in Germany and in France. And some day I might get my chance. That's what I learned in school today. That's what I learned in school.