God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above;
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
God bless America,
My home, sweet home
- Irving Berlin 1918
————————————————————–
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 living 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 won’t 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 U.S.A.
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 it’s time we stand and say
That I’m proud to be an American
Where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t 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 U.S.A.
- Lee Greenwood 1984
::::::
Two songs petitioning God’s blessing on our nation – two songs that can only be sung with a heart of gratitude and overwhelming pride in the country we are privileged to call home.
I attended a baseball game over the weekend, and both of these songs were featured in parts of the festivities. As I stood there and sung my heart out, one of 50,000, I discovered my eyes filling up and heart overwhelmed. There we all were, united in song. There we all were, citizens of the same country. There was no arguing, no debating, no gloating over party affiliation…
…there was patriotism.
As we celebrate the birthday of the greatest nation on this earth, let’s put aside our affiliations, our opinions, our desire to be right. Reflect on the great country that is the United States of America. God has blessed her and she is the reason our relatives gave their lives, she is the reason we are able to live in freedom. She is our home sweet home.
Happy Birthday, America!
