Before revision: The song became associated with the civil rights movement from 1959 , when Guy Carawan stepped in with his and Seeger's version as song leader at Highlander, which was then focused on nonviolent civil rights activism.
After revision: In 1959, the song began to be associated with the civil rights movement as a protest song , when Guy Carawan stepped in with his and Seeger's version as song leader at Highlander, which was then focused on nonviolent civil rights activism.