From Dan Schatz:

I just learned that Len Chandler died on Monday, at the age of 88.
I met Len when I was 17 years old, at the winter People's Music Network conference that year. He was leading a workshop on "Songs of Changing Women and Men" or something of that nature, and I remember being blown away by his presence, songs, and voice, as well as his kindness in supporting and encouraging me as a young musician. At the time I didn't know what a rare treat it was to see him in person.
We connected through email a few times since then, and a couple times by phone. Every time we interacted I found him to be the same kind, supportive person I had met back in 1990.
After making two albums in the 60s, Len mostly stayed in Los Angeles, where he ran a songwriters workshop, rarely touring. But he remained, as ever, a mentor to younger musicians.
His songwriting was absolutely amazing. Many of us know his children's songs "Beans In My Ears" and "Green Green Rocky Road," but he did so much more than that. Len had a way of combining the personal and political seamlessly in a song, with deep sensitivity and gorgeous poetry. A song as simple as "I'm Going to Get My Baby Out of Jail" spoke volumes about the realities so many people lived during the civil rights movement.
A few years back i recorded Len's song "Keep On Keepin' On" on my "Song and the Sigh" album. Here's one verse:
"Some people always say what I should do -
Now that's something that they seem to know so well.
Ah, but it's what I've got to do that's on my mind
And they never seem to listen when I tell.
But it really doesn't bother me that no one seems to care ,
That the stairs are full of splinters and my tender feet are bare,
And I just can't keep from thinking that there's trouble everywhere,
So I guess I've gotta keep on keepin' on."
I'm not the only one moved by that song. There's a story that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's secretary was listening to that song in her office (maybe a Broadside recording?) and Dr. King came in, listened for a bit, and then said, "Huh. Keep on keepin' on." After that the phrase started showing up in his speeches.
If you ever see Len's LP "To Be a Man," grab it. (His other album "The Lovin' People" has great songs, but they're overwhelmed by the commercial production, which may be why Len never went back into the studio after that album came out. "To Be a Man" is just Len and his guitar.)
I can honestly say that listening to Len Chandler's songs has made me a better person. There aren't many songwriters about whom I can say that, even my favorites. But Len? Absolutely.
Rest in peace, and rest in power.