The person who should get the credit for "writing" actually editing the song is Atlanta songwriter Ernie Marrs - Ernie has written a number of well known topical songs that Pete Seeger has recorded - "The People Are Scratching" being one I can think of off hand. Actually Pete almost recorded "Plastic Jesus" It got as far as being advirtised on a folkways lp before he decided not to record it. Ernie's group did record it for "Broadside" Magazine in the 60's, and it was printed there as well as a shorter version in Sing Out. The Marrs tape was lost sometime in the early 70'2 (acording to then editor - the late Gordon Freison)and unfortunatly never issued.--The only Recording I know of is on an lp called "Here They Are - The Goldcoast Singers" World Pacific 1806- a wonderful "Folkum" (To use the old Little Sandy Review term for Kingston Trio like folk music) Live recording wher they credit it on the record jacket as (traditional Spiritual)????? This is the version that gets play on Chicago's Midnight Special ---(WFMT) The lp also has such Art Thieme favorites as Peace Corps rejects and Please Mr Kennedy. The last I heard Ernie Marrs was still in Atlanta going to every Braves game he could get to...More info on Ernie can be found in Pete Seegers Bio - The Incomplete Folksinger