Original: Woodrow Wilson '' Woody '' Guthrie ( July 14 , 1912 -- October 3 , 1967 ) is best known as an American singer-songwriter and folk musician , whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political , traditional and children 's songs , ballads and improvised works .
Simplified: Woodrow Wilson Guthrie , better known as Woody Guthrie ( July 14 , 1912 -- October 3 , 1967 ) , was an American folk musician and songwriter , of the 20th century .