The Weavers were a folk music quartet from the United States that formed in the late 1940s and were active through the 1950s. The band's members included Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Ronnie Gilbert, and Fred Hellerman. The group popularized many traditional folk songs, including "Goodnight Irene" and "This Land is Your Land." They were known for their vocal harmonies and their use of the banjo, guitar, and other instruments. The Weavers were also known for their political activism, particularly in support of workers' rights and civil rights. Despite facing political persecution during the McCarthy era, the group's music continued to influence generations of folk and protest musicians.