A while back I was wanting to post a song here and couldn't figure out how to do it. Nick does so, and I asked some advice from him. After an email from Nick gave me some info, I did a little leg-work online, and guess what? It works!
Here is the song. It is called "Just Americans," written by Randy Sparks of The New Christie Minstrels. It is such a powerful song. It was written right after 9/11, and if this doesn't touch your heart, see a doctor ASAP.
Just Americans Lyrics
(written by: Randy Sparks/Dave Steffy)
On the tenth of September
We were black and we were white
We were brown
We were yellow
We were left and we were right
We were folks from the country
We were city dwellers too
And we often took for granted
We were red, white and blue
We were rich and we were poor
We were up and we were down
We were those who didn't matter
On the other side of town
In a moment of forever
It was not so long ago
We were recreated equal
And in my heart I know:
[chorus]
On September the eleventh
We became Just Americans
Other names were rendered obsolete
All I know about my neighbors
Is that they are Just Americans
Shoulder to shoulder, now, the circle is complete
We have learned how it feels to be Just Americans
Without the words that spells out 'us' and 'them'
And there's more to this feeling for our fellow Americans
Than hate for those we condemn
We wear yarmulkes and turbans
And, occasionally, a crown
We wear straw hats and ball caps
And when the team's in town
We show signs of disrespect
For those who've lost or won
But we know it's just a game
That the war was all in fun
We speak Russian and Tagalog
We speak French and Japanese
And our gift to one another
Is to worship as we please
We quite often get together
To protest or to rejoice
And when we speak in anger
It is with a single voice
[chorus]
On September the eleventh
We became Just Americans
Other names were rendered obsolete
All I know about my neighbors
Is that they are Just Americans
Shoulder to shoulder, now, the circle is complete
And we will fight, side by side, in the trenches of the universe
The cause of precious freedom to defend
And let it be remembered that
We are Just Americans
May this day never end
And I pray this day will never end
On the tenth of September
We were black and we were white
We were brown
We were yellow
We were left and we were right
We were folks from the country
We were city dwellers too
And we often took for granted
We were red, white and blue
We were rich and we were poor
We were up and we were down
We were those who didn't matter
On the other side of town
In a moment of forever
It was not so long ago
We were recreated equal
And in my heart I know:
[chorus]
On September the eleventh
We became Just Americans
Other names were rendered obsolete
All I know about my neighbors
Is that they are Just Americans
Shoulder to shoulder, now, the circle is complete
We have learned how it feels to be Just Americans
Without the words that spells out 'us' and 'them'
And there's more to this feeling for our fellow Americans
Than hate for those we condemn
We wear yarmulkes and turbans
And, occasionally, a crown
We wear straw hats and ball caps
And when the team's in town
We show signs of disrespect
For those who've lost or won
But we know it's just a game
That the war was all in fun
We speak Russian and Tagalog
We speak French and Japanese
And our gift to one another
Is to worship as we please
We quite often get together
To protest or to rejoice
And when we speak in anger
It is with a single voice
[chorus]
On September the eleventh
We became Just Americans
Other names were rendered obsolete
All I know about my neighbors
Is that they are Just Americans
Shoulder to shoulder, now, the circle is complete
And we will fight, side by side, in the trenches of the universe
The cause of precious freedom to defend
And let it be remembered that
We are Just Americans
May this day never end
And I pray this day will never end
.
That's a grand song for your first successful embedding! Thanks for sharing it, Lyn.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nick, I really love the song. And thanks, too, for talking me through it!
ReplyDeleteThat song is beautiful and powerful. I love it! It seems fitting that I am sitting in NYC, while listening to it. I'm adding that to my playlist...love it.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to put song clips on my blog either. Maybe some day you can take me through it.
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Sure, Cheryl, whenever you wish! It is an amazing song, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteGreat song, totally rocks over the other type of song that came out back then...like Toby Keith's one about kicking some non american ass.
ReplyDeleteJulie, I couldn't agree more. We need to pull together, not drive wedges.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing great lyrics
ReplyDeleteBobbie, you're welcome, and yes they are great.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteMQ, yes!
ReplyDeleteI've looked all over for the song online since I first heard it. Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDelete