Woody Guthrie wrote four famous words on his guitar: “This Machine Kills Fascists.” Those words shaped one of the most influential protest songs in American history — “All You Fascists Bound to Lose.” In this video, I break down the real story behind Guthrie’s iconic anti‑fascist anthem, the historical moment that inspired it, and why its message still resonates more than 80 years later.
Written during World War II, at a time when fascist regimes were driving global conflict, Guthrie’s song became a rallying cry for unity, equality, and resistance against hate. Whether you’re a Woody Guthrie fan, a student of American folk music, or someone interested in the history of protest songs, this story will deepen your appreciation of one of the most enduring anthems of resistance. Following the story is a ukulele play-along featuring:
- Chords & Full Lyrics: Follow along with the chords and full lyrics displayed on the screen. This makes it super easy to play and sing along.
- Perfect for Beginners: This play-along is designed for new ukulele players with just three chords! It is simple and enjoyable to learn.
- Improve Your Skills: Playing along with this video will help you improve your timing, chord transitions, and overall ukulele skills.
Video Transcript:
Woody Guthrie once wrote four words on his guitar. ‘This Machine Kills Fascists.’ And his song, “All You Fascists Bound to Lose’ was born from this philosophy. Woody didn’t write this song to be subtle. He wrote it to be clear, loud, and impossible to misunderstand. There’s a reason why this song still resonates more than 80 years later, and before we play it together, I want to tell you why this song exists—and why it’s still important and remembered.
Woody Guthrie wrote “All You Fascists” in the early 1940s, in the middle of World War II. At the time, fascist governments in Europe were driving the deadliest conflict the world had ever seen, and the United States was fully involved in the war effort. Antifascist sentiment wasn’t fringe—it was widespread across American culture. Guthrie believed fascism wasn’t just wrong—it was built on violence, racism, and the suppression of ordinary people. And he believed just as strongly that it wouldn’t last. That’s why the song keeps repeating one simple refrain: Fascists are bound to lose.
This song didn’t come out of nowhere. Long before World War II, Guthrie had developed a deeply anti-authoritarian outlook, shaped by the Great Depression, economic inequality, and the exploitation of workers and migrants in the United States. He saw fascism as a system that thrived on fear, division, and hate — everything he believed music should push back against. To him, songs weren’t entertainment alone. They were tools. They carried ideas, and they could bring people together.
Guthrie wasn’t writing from a distance, either. During the war, he served in the U.S. Merchant Marines, crossing the Atlantic on ships that were very real targets. In 1944, one of those ships was torpedoed by a German submarine—and he survived. Experiences like that only sharpened the urgency behind songs like this one. For Guthrie, this wasn’t abstract. It was personal.
Musically, “All You Fascists” is intentionally simple by design. Like many of Guthrie’s anthems: It’s direct. It’s easy to sing. And that was the point. Guthrie wanted a song that could be shared on the radio, at union meetings, on picket lines, and among soldiers.
No metaphors. No mystery. Just moral clarity. The message is simple: When ordinary people organize, stand together, and reject fear and division, oppressive systems don’t win. And that’s why this song has endured as one of Woody Guthrie’s most recognizable protest anthems and still resonates today with the current global political and cultural landscape. So now that you know the story behind it…let’s play “All You Fascists Bound to Lose”.
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
I’m gonna tell you fascists, you sure may be surprised:
The people in this world are getting organized.
You’re bound to lose, you fascists, bound to lose.
[Chorus]
All you fascists bound to lose! All you fascists bound to lose!
All you fascists bound to lose! You’re bound to lose! You fascists, bound to lose!
[Verse 2]
There’s people of every nation, marching side by side.
Marching ‘cross these fields where a million fascists died.
You’re bound to lose, you fascists, bound to lose.
[Chorus]
All you fascists bound to lose! All you fascists bound to lose!
All you fascists bound to lose! You’re bound to lose! You fascists, bound to lose!
[Verse 3]
Race hatred cannot stop us. This one thing I know.
Your poll tax and Jim Crow greed have got to go
You’re bound to lose, you fascists, bound to lose.
[Chorus]
All you fascists bound to lose! All you fascists bound to lose!
All you fascists bound to lose! You’re bound to lose! You fascists, bound to lose!
[Verse 4]
I’m going into this battle and I don’t need no gun.
We’ll end this world of slavery before this battle’s won.
You’re bound to lose, you fascists, bound to lose.
[Chorus]
All you fascists bound to lose! All you fascists bound to lose!
All you fascists bound to lose! You’re bound to lose! You fascists, bound to lose!
[Repeat Chorus]
All you fascists bound to lose! All you fascists bound to lose!
All you fascists bound to lose! You’re bound to lose! You fascists, bound to lose!