This dramatic animated video presents “This Land is Mine,” a song that tells the story of the wars in the Land of Israel/Palestine, from prehistoric times until today. With a hopeful melody clashing with violent imagery, this video depicts caricatures of generation after generation of historical characters killing one another in order to conquer this land in the name of God. This clip is part of Nina Paley’s animated feature,Seder-Masochism, a retelling of The Book of Exodus as patriarchy emerging from goddess worship. Nina Paley is a Jewish American cartoonist and animator who is highly critical of Judaism and Zionism. To see the artist’s explanation of this work and a guide to each of the characters, visit her blog.
“This Land is Mine” (Lyrics by Pat Boone, Sung by Andy Williams)
This land is mine
God gave this land to me
This brave and ancient land to me
And when the morning sun
Reveals her hills and plains
Then I see a land
Where children can run free.
So take my hand
And walk this land with me
And walk this lovely land with me
Tho’ I am just a man
When you are by my side
With the help of God
I know I can be strong.
Tho’ I am just a man
When you are by my side
With the help of God
I know I can be strong.
To make this land our home
If I must fight I’ll fight to make this land our own.
Until I die this land is mine!