Jukebox: Dogged Underdog

U. Utah Phillips, who died May 23 at age 73, once described himself as a "ne'er-do-well, wino, tramp philosopher, typical family man, folk intellectual and conversation assassin." Phillips was widely revered for his witty blend of storytelling and song. After returning from Army service in 1950s Korea, he fell in with a group of labor activists who gave his life new direction fighting for the downtrodden. Phillips ran for the Senate in 1968 and for president in 1976 and started a homeless shelter. He performed at coffeehouses and festivals into his 70s.

Hear Utah Phillips Perform "Joe Hill's Last Will", "The Preacher and the Slave" and "The Timberbeast's Lament"

Music courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways, the non-profit record label of the Smithsonian Institution. Please click here to purchase or for more information