Music
Land That I Love (Songs for America) (2010)
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1
My Beautiful America
Have you ever spent the late afternoon,
Watching the purple shadows deepen in the Arizona desert?
Or seen a herd of Elk plough their way
Through waist deep snow on a cold Colorado dawn?
Did you ever see the sun go down in Hawaii
Or seen the stormy waves break over the rockbound coast of Maine
Or have you ever see an eagle fly up out of the mists of Alaska
Or a big October moon hanging full over the still Dakota badlands?
Have you ever tasted the gumbo in New Orleans, barbecue in Carolina
Or the chicken wings in Buffalo?
Have you ever had Brunswick stew in Macon, or cornbread in Birmingham?
Or briskets slow cook over hill country mesquite wood?
Did you ever drink the water from a gurgling branch in Utah,
Or stand on the mountain above El Paso Del Norte
And see the lights twinkling clear over into Mexico
Did you ever jingle horses in the pre dawn stillness of a perfect Texas day
And watch their shod hooves kicking up sparks on the volcanic rock?
Or tended a trot line on a foggy Carolina morning,
Or heard the distant love song of a lovesick whippoorwill
On a pristine Tennessee late night?
Have you seen the faces on Mount Rushmore or stood at the Vietnam monument?
Have you ever crossed the mighty Mississippi,
Or been to the Daddy of ‘Em All in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Or seen the mighty Vols run out on the football field on a chilly autumn afternoon?
Did you ever see the Chicago skyline from Lakeshore Drive at night
Or the New England foliage in the fall,
Or the summer beauty of the Shenandoah valley,
Or Indiana covered with new snow?
Did you ever seen a herd of wild horses running free
Across the empty spaces of Nevada?
Or caught a walleyed pike out of a cold Wisconsin stream,
Or marveled at the tall ships docked in the harbor at Baltimore?
Did you ever see the early morning dew sparkling on the bluegrass,
Or the wind stir the wheat fields on a hot Kansas afternoon
Or driven the lonely stretches of old Route 66
Have you ever heard the church bells peal their call to worship
On an early Sunday, in some small town in the Deep South?
Or passed through the Redwood Forest just as the sun was going down
Have you ever been to Boise or Baxley or Beaufort or Billings?
Have you ever passed through Sanford or Suffolk or San Angelo
Have you ever seen the falls at Niagara
The Ice Palace in Saint Paul
Or the Gateway to the West?
This then is America!
The land God blesses with everything
And no Eiffel Tower: no Taj Mahal,
No Alps, No Andes
No native hut, nor Royal Palace
Can rival her awesome beauty,
Her diverse population, her monolithic majesty.
America the Free
America the mighty
America the beautiful
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
And to the republic for which it stands
One nation under God, indivisible
with liberty and justice for all.
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2
America, I Believe in You
We got some trouble in our own back yard.
Things are are kinda tough, times are kinda hard.
Got a lot of people livin' out in the street, people goin' hungry without nothin' to eat,
and in this land of plenty, this souldn't be goin' on.
We got enough for everybody we just gonna have to pass it along.
Well I'm glad about the fall of communism, I'm glad about the
Berlin wall, and I like seein' old Saddam bite the dust, in fact I'm glad about it all.
And I believe in helping everybody,
but when it comes to all them foreign loans,
I think we oughta remember that charity begins at home.
Yes it starts right now in (America, America,)
I know the sun is risin' on a better day.
(America, America,) we got the power and we know the way.
(America, America,) well let me say a few words about the Red, White, and Blue.
(America, America,) I know you're gonna do it I believe in you.
Now I been tryin' to figure this out, but there's somethin' that I just don't know.
How can you make things better when you
take our jobs, and send 'um down to Mexico?
And then there was this big shot, from the land of the risin' sun.
He said the workin' people in America were lazy and dumb.
Well let me tell you somethin' Jack.
The next time I go on a shopping trip, and take somethin' off of the rack,
if it don't say, "Made in the U.S.A." I'm just gonna put it back.
We can't leave it to the politicians, cause they don't do nothin' but talk,
and it's we the people that are gonna have to walk the walk.
And we can do it right now in (America, America,)
hey I know the sun is risin' on a better day.
(America, America,) yeah we got the power and we know the way.
(America, America,) now let me say a few words about the Red, White, and Blue.
(America, America,) I know you're gonna do it I believe in you.
Well we got the best dang farmers in the whole wide world.
The fastest horses and the prettiest girls. We got the Army, the
Navy, Air Force, and Marines, the mightiest fightin' force the world's ever seen.
We the kinda people that can get thins done,
We're servin' notice that we're still number one.
We got the nerve (We got the nerve.), we got the will,
(We got the will.), we are all together cause you know that we are still.
(America, America,) well I know the sun is risin' it's a risin' on a better day.
(America, America,) hey, hey we got the power and we know the way.
(America, America,) now let me say a few words about the Red, White, and Blue.
(America, America,) cause I believe in you. -
3
American Farmer
Lyrics are not available -
4
Let Freedom Ring
In the heat of the battle
To the head army there stepped a man
He said, 'I've been to the top of the liberty
And I've looked over the promised land'
He had no fear of death or evil
His skin was black and his name was King
He said I may not get there with you
But put your faith in God and let freedom ring
There was a tyrant strong and mighty
And he built his self a wall
He said, 'This wall's gonna stand forever
No power on Earth is gonna make it fall'
But then the winds of change they started blowing
Like a free bird on the wing
And then the wall fell down with a sound like thunder
Let the free bird fly and let freedom ring
(Let freedom ring)
Throughout the northland out across the frozen Tundra
To the land of the midnight sun and the Eskimo
(Let freedom ring)
From Albuquerque across the sea to Greece and Turkey
And from Halifax down south to Mexico
(Let freedom ring)
From Carolina round the world to Indochina
From Seattle to Mobile and Abilene
(Let freedom ring)
Let freedom ring
(Let freedom ring)
Let freedom ring
Let it ring, let it ring, let it ring
Innocent blood was shed for freedom
In a faraway place called Tiennemen Square
'Cause the heavy hand of cruel oppression
Is so much more than a man can bear
But you can't chain a man forever
And your guns they don't mean a thing
'Cause they'll rise again in the cause of justice
Give the power to the people and let freedom ring
(Let freedom ring)
From Minnesota across the plains to North Dakota
And from Kennebunkport out to Kalamazoo
(Let freedom ring)
From Rome to Reno and from Tokyo to Moscow
And from Barcelona, Spain to Kathmandu
(Let freedom ring)
From Madagascar and from Berlin to Alaska
And from Liverpool to Perth to Aberdeen
(Let freedom ring)
Let freedom ring
(Let freedom ring)
Let freedom ring
Let it ring, let it ring, let it ring
Let's give thanks to God our Father
The author of our liberty
Gave us this land to protect and cherish
It's the home of the brave and it's the land of the free
Oh America, we love you
Sweet land of hope of thee we sing
And with our life's blood we will protect you
Let the eagle fly and let freedom ring
Let freedom ring
Let freedom ring
Let freedom ring
Let it ring, let it ring
Let it ring, let it ring
Let freedom ring -
5
(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks
What this world needs is a few more rednecks
Some people ain't afraid to take a stand
What this world needs is a little more respect
For the Lord and the law and the workin' man
We could use a little peace and satisfaction
Some good people up front to take the lead
A little less talk and a little more action
And a few more rednecks is what we needI was raised on beans and cornbread
And I like my chicken fried
Yes, I drive a pickup truck
And I'm full of American pride
I keep a Bible on my table
I got a flag out on my lawn
And I don't believe in mindin'
No one's business but my ownAnd I love them Rambo movies
I think they make a lot of sense
And it's a shame ole John Wayne
Didn't live to run for presidentAnd I don't care what nobody says
I don't trust ole Gorbachev
And I don't know who turned him on
But it's time to turn him offWhat this world needs is a few more rednecks
Some people ain't afraid to take a stand
What this world needs is a little more respect
For the Lord and the law and the workin' man
We could use a little peace and satisfaction
Some good people up front to take the lead
A little less talk and a little more action
And a few more rednecks is what we needNow they're tryin' to take my guns away
And that would be just fine
If you take ‘em away from the criminals first
I'll gladly give ya mine
And I don't mind payin' taxes
But it makes my temper itch
When my hard earned money goes
To make some politician richWhat most people call a redneck
Ain't nothin' but a workin' man
And he makes his livin'
By the sweat of his brow
And the calluses on his hands
Now you intellectuals may not like it
But there ain't nothin' that you can do
Cause there's a whole lot more of us common-folks
Then there ever will be of youWhat this world needs is a few more rednecks
Some people ain't afraid to take a stand
What this world needs is a little more respect
For the Lord and the law and the workin' man
We could use a little peace and satisfaction
Some good people up front to take the lead
A little less talk and a little more action
And a few more rednecks is what we needThat's what we need
And a few more rednecks is what we need -
6
This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag
This ain't no rag, it's a flag
And we don't wear it on our heads
It's a symbol of the land where the good guys live
Are you listening to what I said
You're a coward and a fool
And you broke all of the rules
And you wounded our American pride
And now we're coming with a gun
And we know you're gonna run
But you can't find no place to hide
We're gonna hunt you down like a mad dog hound
Make you pay for the lives you stole
We're all through talking and a messing around
And now it's time to rock and roll
These colors don't run and we're speaking as one
When we say united we stand
When you mess with one, you mess with us all
Every boy, girl, woman and man
You've been acting mighty rash
And talking that trash
Let me give you some advice
You can crawl back in your hole
Like a dirty little mole
But now it's time to pay the price
You might of shot us in the back
Now you have to face the fact
That the big boys' in the game
And the thunder's been crashing
And the lightning's been flashing
And now it's getting ready to rain
This is the United States of America
The land of the brave and the free
We believe in God and we believe in justice
We believe in liberty
You've been pulling our chain
We should've done something 'bout you a long time ago
But now the flag's flying high and the fur's gonna fly
And soon the whole world's gonna know
This ain't no rag, it's a flag
Old Glory red, white and blue
The stars and the stripes when it comes to a fight
We can do what we have to do
Our people stand proud
The American crowd is faithful, and loyal and tough
We're good as the best and better than the rest
And you're gonna find out soon enough
When you look up in the sky
And you see the eagle fly
You better know he's a heading your way
'Cause this ain't no rag it's a flag
And it stands for the USA
USA
USA
USA
USA -
7
Still In Saigon
(Written By Dan Daley)
Got on a plane in 'Frisco
And got off in Vietnam
I walked into a different world
The past forever gone
I could have gone to Canada
Or I could have stayed in school
But I was brought up differently
I couldn't break the rules
Thirteen months and fifteen days
The last ones were the worst
One minute I'd kneel down and pray
And the next I'd stand and curse
No place to run to
Where I did not feel that war
When I got home I stayed alone
And checked behind each door
Cuz I'm still in Saigon
Still in Saigon
I am still in Saigon
In my mind
The ground at home was covered in snow
And I was covered in sweat
My younger brother calls me a killer
And my daddy calls me a vet
Everybody says I'm someone else
And I'm sick and there's no cure
Damned if I know who I am
There was only one place I was sure
When I was still in Saigon
Still in saigon
I am still in saigon
In my mind
Every summer when it rains
I smell the jungle, I hear the planes
I can't tell no one, I feel ashamed
Afraid some day I'll go insane
That's been ten long years ago
And time has gone on by
Now and then I catch myself
Eyes searching through the sky
All the sounds of long ago
Will be forever in my head
Mingled with the wounded cries
And the silence of the dead
'Cuz I'm still in Saigon
Still in Saigon
I am still in Saigon
In my mind
I am still in Saigon
I am still in Saigon
Yes, I'm still in Saigon
In my mind -
8
The Last Fallen Hero
Oh, the cowards came by morning and attacked without a warning
Leaving flames and death and chaos in our streets.
And in the middle of this fiery hell brave heroes fell
In the skies of Pennsylvania on a plane bound for destruction
With the devil and his angels at the wheel
They never reached their target on the ground
Brave heroes brought it down
[Chorus:]
This is a righteous cause so without doubt or pause
I will do what my country asks of me
Make any sacrifice
We'll pay whatever price
So the children of tomorrow can be free
Lead on red, white and blue
And we will follow you until we win the final victory
God help us do our best we will not slack or rest
Till the last fallen hero rests in peace
Now the winds of war are blowing and there's no way of knowing
Where this bloody path we're traveling will lead
We must follow till the end
Or face it all again
And make no mistake about it, write it, preach it, talk it, shout it
Across the mountains and the deserts and the seas
The blood of innocence and shame
Will not be shed in vain
[Chorus:]
This is a righteous cause so without doubt or pause
I will do what my country asks of me
Make any sacrifice
We'll pay whatever price
So the children of tomorrow can be free
Lead on red, white and blue
And we will follow you until we win the final victory
God help us do our best we will not slack or rest
Till the last fallen hero rests in peace
God help us do our best we will not slack nor rest
Till the last fallen hero rests in peace -
9
In America
Well the eagle's been flyin' slow
And the flag's been flyin' low
And a lot of people sayin' that America's fixin' to fall
Well speakin' just for me
And some people from Tennessee
We've got a thing or two to tell you all
This lady may have stumbled
But she ain't never fell
If our enemies don't believe that�
They can all go straight to hell
We're gonna put her feet back
On the path of righteousness and then
God bless America again
And you never did think
That it ever would happen again (In America, did you?)�
You never did think
That we'd ever get together again
( We damn sure fooled you )
Yeah, we're walkin' real proud
And we're talkin' real loud again (In America)
You never did think
That it ever would happen again
From The Sound up in Long Island�
Out to San Francisco Bay�
And everything that's in between them is our own�
And we may have done a little bit�
Of fightin' amongst ourselves�
But you outside people best leave us alone�
'Cause we'll all stick together�
And you can take that to the bank�
That's the cowboys and the hippies�
And the rebels and the yanks�
You just go and lay your hand�
On a Pittsburgh Steelers' fan�
And I think you're gonna finally understand
And you never did think
That it ever would happen again (In America, did you?)�
You never did think
That we'd ever get together again
( We damn sure fooled you )
Yeah, we're walkin' real proud
And we're talkin' real loud again (In America)
You never did think
That it ever would happen again
And you never did think
That it ever would happen again (In America, did you?)�
You never did think
That we'd ever get together again
( We damn sure fooled you )
Yeah, we're walkin' real proud
And we're talkin' real loud again (In America)
You never did think
That it ever would happen again -
10
Star Spangled Banner
Instrumental -
11
Freedom and Justice for All
Lyrics are not available -
12
Simple Man
I ain't nothin' but a simple man
They call me a redneck I reckon that I am
But there's things going on
That make me mad down to the core.
I have to work like a dog to make ends meet
There's crooked politicians and crime in the street
And I'm madder'n hell and I ain't gonna take it no more.
We tell our kids to just say no
Then some panty waist judge lets a drug dealer go
Slaps him on the wrist and then he turns him back out on the town.
Now if I had my way with people sellin' dope
I'd take a big tall tree and a short piece of rope
I'd hang 'em up high and let 'em swing 'til the sun goes down
Well, you know what's wrong with the world today
People done gone and put their Bible's away
They're living by the law of the jungle not the law of the land
The good book says it so I know it's the truth
An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth
You better watch where you go and remember where you been
That's the way I see it I'm a Simple Man.
Now I'm the kinda man that'd not harm a mouse
But if I catch somebody breakin in my house
I've got twelve guage shotgun waiting on the other side
So don't go pushing me against my will
I don't want to have to fight you but I dern sure will
So if you don't want trouble then you'd better just pass me on by
As far as I'm concerned there ain't no excuse
For the raping and the killing and the child abuse
And I've got a way to put an end to all that mess
Just take them rascals out in the swamp
Put 'em on their knees and tie 'em to a stump
Let the rattlers and the bugs and the alligators do the rest
You know what's wrong with the world today
People done gone and put their Bible's away
They're living by the law of the jungle not the law of the land
The Good Book says it so I know it's the truth
An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth
You better watch where you go and remember where you been
That's the way I see it I'm a Simple Man -
13
Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance
The following words were spoken by the late Red Skelton on his television program as he related the story of his teacher, Mr. Laswell, who felt his students had come to think of the Pledge of Allegiance as merely something to recite in class each day.
Now, more than ever, listen to the meaning of these words:
"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester, and it seems as though it has become monotonous to you. May I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word:
I -- Me; an individual; a committee of one.
Pledge -- To dedicate all of my worldly good to give without self-pity.
Allegiance -- My love and my devotion.
To the Flag -- Our standard. �Old Glory�; a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts �Freedom is everybody's job.�
United -- That means that we've all come together.
States -- Individual communities that have united into 48 great states; 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with�imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that�s love for�country
And to the Republic -- A state in which�sovereign power is invested into the representatives chosen by the people to govern;�government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, and not from the leaders to the people.
For which it stands
One Nation -- One Nation, Meaning "so blessed by God."
Indivisible -- Incapable of being divided.
With Liberty -- Which is freedom; the right of power for one to live his own life without threats, fear, some any sort of retaliation.
And Justice -- The principle and quality of dealing fairly with others.
For All -- For All. Which�means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said, "That is a prayer" -- and that be eliminated from our schools, too?"
God Bless America
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14
Summer of '68
Johnny got drafted to Vietnam,
To fight in the rock and roll war.
He came home on a long summer train,
Never knew what he was dyin� for.
Just another lesson that the world learned a little too late.
That�s just the way it was in the summer of �68.
�
Martin got shot down in Memphis,
And the world went a little insane.
Angry people out in the streets,
And the cities were all in flames.
Just another sacrifice to prejudice, evil, and hate.
But that�s just the way it was in the summer of �68.
�
The flower generation thought that they could change the world,
They got lost somewhere along the way.
You can�t change the world if you don�t face reality.
Turnin� on and droppin� out just ain�t what life is all about.
�
Some folks burned their draft cards,
And some folks broke the rules.
Some went off to Canada, and some went off to school.
And some folks blew their minds so bad,
They couldn�t even concentrate.
But that�s just the way it was in the summer of �68.
�
The world just keeps on spinnin� and the years keep rushin� by.
Evil never takes a holiday.
Winds of war keep blowin�,
And the Left still hates the Right.
Things are really gettin� crazy;
Save the whales and kill the babies.
�
The sun was shining and the sky was blue,
On that bright September day.
When death came in on silver wings,
Things wouldn�t ever be the same.
Just another sacrifice to prejudice, evil, and hate.
And that�s just the way it was in the summer of �68.
�
In the summer of �68.
In the summer of �68.