The Rainbow Quest (Folkways FA 2454, 1960) is a solo LP featuring Pete Seeger on vocals and five-string banjo, embodying his internationalist folk vision. The ten tracks span songs from Japan, anthems from the Montgomery bus boycott, and an early version of "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" — then a three-verse work in progress. The title reflects Seeger's lifelong belief that folk music could connect people across cultures and political divides. Released at the peak of the American folk revival, it appeared five years before Seeger's 1965–1966 television series of the same name — the show was a separate project inspired by the album's title, not a soundtrack. It remains one of the era's most characteristic expressions of Seeger's humanist musical philosophy.
Tracklist
- 1 Colorado Trail / Spanish Is the Loving Tongue / From Here on Up / Texas Girls / Swarthmore Girls / We Pity Our Bosses Five / The Scabs Crawl In 3:35
- 2 Open the Door / Road to Athay / Why Do Scotsmen? / Hold up Your Petticoat / Oh, There’s Two on My Back 2:21
- 3 Seek and You Shall Find / Fare Well, Little Fishes / Where Have All the Flowers Gone? / Fu-Ru-Sato / Step by Step / Joe Hill’s Last Will 9:29
- 4 Oh, Had I a Golden Thread 3:34
- 5 There's Better Things to Do 2:37
- 6 The Dove 3:23
- 7 Five Fingers 2:47
- 8 To Everyone in All the World 1:45
- 9 We Are Moving on to Victory 1:44
- 10 Don't You Weep After Me 4:10
- 11 Where Have All the Flowers Gone alt version
