American Song

If I was to paint a picture of my country
I’d start with wheat fields far and wide
and in the background a thousand mountains
strong and proud and 5 miles high
and on the outsides, I’d paint the coastlines
bold and brave against the sea
and high above the bluest shades of heaven
that could ever be

This is the landscape of America
the richness of the earth and sky
blessed by God's pure guiding light
shining out to the world, when liberty is gone
always there to right a wrong
this is my American Song

If I was to write a book about my people
I’d start by what resides within
hunger for truth, justice, and compassion
for every race and shade of skin
the strength of will which never will surrender
no matter what the odds or price
from country town to city center
the chance to build a better life

This is the story of America
the power to the common man
divided we fall, united we stand among
our brothers and sisters at home
inviting all here to belong
this is my American Song

If I was to write a song about my country
with every note of melody
I’d wipe my eyes for all the sacrifice
so many have made to keep me free
then let refrains ring out from the freight trains,
coal mines, farms, and old steel yards
and feel the tempo build to a crescendo
of rocketships beyond the stars

This is the song of America
of ingenuity and pride
of confidence to sometimes stride alone
sometimes many miles from home
protecting the weak from the strong
helping those when hope is gone
this is my American Song
shining like the sun at dawn
singing our American Song
singing our American Song

© words and music by holden forrest 2020