I remember way back at Charles F Tigard Elementary School, in the spring we'd sing patriotic songs, and do a small concert. If my memory serves correctly, it was the odd grades that did the spring concert (so I think this is 5th grade, I am reminiscing about). Flash forward a couple decades, and I am in the truck with the boys today and listening to one of the two country stations in Portland. And on comes Lee Greenwood's God Bless America, a song we sang in choir, along with America the Beautiful and Your a Grand Old Flag.
Now in 1994, I was able to go to Nashville with the family for a convention. On Saturday night, they do a big dinner and have entertainment. That year Lee Greenwood did a concert. I remember it vividly, not quite as much as the year Elvis sat on my lap and used my napkin to wipe sweat off his brow, but I remember it. LOL.
So today when that song came on the radio, I turned it up and belted out the tune. Remembering when I sang it in school and when I saw Greenwood perform it in Nashville. As I was singing it, I was paying close attention to the lyrics. What an amazing song. It's truly beautiful.
If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I'd worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can't take that away.
And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.
That I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
And I'm proud to be and American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
When the station I was listening to went to commercial, I switched to the other, and within two songs, they played God Bless The USA again.
Now, I know separation of church and state, and that many do not believe in God, but boil these lyrics down to the nitty gritty: "
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,and they can't take that away...
I'm proud to be and American, where at least I know I'm free. And I wont forget the men who died, who gave that right to me." There are so many places where they cannot say those things without fear. We are truly lucky and blessed to live in the United States of America. Have a very safe and fun 4th of July!
