Day for Decision
Johnny Sea [Warner Bros. 5820]
(Allen N. Peltier) [Moss Rose Pub. BMI]
Narrative:
The other day I heard someone say, "You know, America is in real trouble."
It's true. Old Glory has never fallen so close to the earth . Our
embassies are being stoned. Our diplomats are often in fear for their
lives. And we're involved in a half-dozen nameless, winless conflicts
spilling American blood on foreign soil. Our young men are dying for
ideals that don't seem to mean too much to Americans anymore.
The truth is America's real trouble doesn't lie in the rice paddies of
Vietnam, in the masses of Red China, or in the diabolical intrigues to the
south of us. The real trouble lies in the playgrounds of St. Louis, the
hillside mansions of San Francisco, and in the slums of Chicago. A disease
which is slowly eating away at the heart of America lives in the small
southern towns, the fishing villages of New England, and in the hot dusty
streets of the midwest.
This is the age of the American cynic. The year of the unbeliever. The day
of doubt. We've killed all the sacred cows and destroyed all the images.
And there's nothing left to respect. Old fashioned love of God, country,
and family is passe. We stare at our shoelaces when they play the national
anthem. We wouldn't want to be seen at a political rally or a town hall
meeting. And we don't want to be caught with our eyes closed during public
prayers. We've decided the only way to get into public office is to buy
it. Our heroes are the fast guys who get away with things. Patriotism, the
old hand-over-the-heart, flag-waving singing patriotism has been
condemned. Think about this. Patriotism. When you tear away the fancy
phrases and crepe paper, it's plain and simple pride. It's a new
car-prettier girl-bigger house sort of pride in country. Somewhere along
the way we've lost it. Our form of government is the same. We still say
America stands for the same things. But next time you're at a party, ask
someone to sing "American the Beautiful", and see what happens.
The basic ideals and structure of America haven't changed. We have. You
and me. Our enemies know it. They've seen the newsreels of the
discontented marching around the capitol. They've distorted and blown up
our mistakes. They've been putting steel wedges in the cracks in our wall
of solidarity. The new idea is: Don't attack America; wear it down
gradually; it'll eventually fall under the weight of its own corruption.
And did you know, it's working?
This sneering complacency, once stamped out by the bloody feet of atattered Continental Army in 1776, once drowned beneath the keel of the
U.S.S. Arizona in Pearl Harbor Bay, has risen again. This deadly "Let
George do it" attitude lights the way for the Viet Cong in the swampy
jungles of Vietnam. This "Better red than dead" cancer is more feared by
the American soldier than all the communist mortar shells. It kills the
vitality and spirit of America. Democracy is a frail and fragile
instrument. Made of hope, prayer, and Yankee ingenuity. It is held
together by a fourth-of-July flag-waving patriotism. And we've almost
exhausted our supply of it. Try this test. Lift your eyes to a flag, then
sing out as loud as you can that old out-worn antiquated freedom hymn you
learned so many years ago:
For purple mountain majesties (for purple mountain majesties)
Above the fruited plain (above the fruited plain)
America (America)
America (America)
God shed His grace on thee (God shed His grace on thee)
Now if you feel a little pride welling up inside of you, if you feel a
little mist in your eye, then, thank God for you, mister, you're still an
American!
(America, America,
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea)
Transcribed by Little John.
These lyrics were transcribed from the specific recording referenced
above, and are for personal use and research interest only.
3 comments on Day for Decision
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It is so true that a lot has changed to shift the national sense of patriotism, what our country is about, all that we stand for, and how precious the things are about us and what we have that need to be preserved and protected with our hearts, minds, souls and, sometimes, muscles.
In efforts to make this country a better place for all of it's people, a lot of injustices have been made to be a part of the fabric of this nation and it's people. However, while steps must continue to be made to eliminate the inequalities suffered by many and to allow everyone in this great country to realize their values, there was and still is no excuse, reason, or benefit in stripping away the values that already exist.
Much of what constitutes patriotism is respect, but in a time when there is such evidence of a lack of respect for so many things, it is almost understandable why patriotism has fallen thin within so many. And, with whatever respect there is out there, much of it is scattered around so chaotically that there is as much respect for the evil and corrupt as there is for the good. A good part of the reason goes back to the old saying and proven fact that one must be treated with respect in order for another to gain respect. But, so many in our society today don't feel that they are given the respect they deserve, see how disrespect is exercised between others, therefore, do not have a real sense of respect for our government, for religion, for our military, for our land, for different peoples, for the legal system, for other's rights, for each other, and sometimes not even for themselves.
There was a time when history played a much more important role in education. I also remember classes such as social studies, civics, and English/literature classes that emphasized the writings of great Americans. Many schools do not teach these types of classes anymore, leaving students with important educations in other subject but little knowledge of the things that made and make our country so darn special. It's only those who pursue specific studies in college or other learning programs that may learn and appreciate more in these areas, where the interests, understandings, and knowledge used to be sparked and carried through from younger ages.
I am not a conservative, nor am I a liberal. Whether I have leanings more in one direction or another does not take away from the fact that I am insulted by the reality that the leaders and educators from all schools, churches, branches of government, the arts, etc. of this country can not create a balance or pull together to achieve a better balance instead of driving deeper wedges that divide our nation and create greater differences in the areas of education, respect, social behavior, values, responsibility and, yes, patriotism.
That is why there are those who are proud to be among those who have or do serve in our military and those who appreciate them for what they do and have done...and why there are those who don't appreciate anything about any of this at all. In the past, even non-believers in wars or in taking up arms or even in the flag, still knew what those people and things stood for and knew how to separate their personal beliefs from acts of disrespect or hatred. They were often there to help those who suffered from the ones who didn't know how to make that separation. Now, though, it seems that there is less and less protection for any who may not follow in this dangerous "movement" toward what this country and it's people are becoming.
I know that this is an overly long and overly stated comment, that I should have used as a personal blog on my own space instead of posting it on your space, but YOU were the one fired me up and got me rolling because of your post. You, my dear friend, have opened up a huge part of me and my sentiments on this, so I had an awful lot to get off my chest. But, now I've said it, so I will thank you for your incredible post and apologize for hopping on the soapbox and my speechmaking.
Donna I love your thinking, your being and the humble way you put forth your feelings. I was never good at that. I was always there to make sure the bad ones never got pass the line. Maybe that's where we made our mistakes..... the people back home never got to see or feel the hell we protected them from, so like children they still want to touch that hot stove. or just won't believe the hate others have for us. I will always defend this country and the things it stands for. This was the only country that never had to protect it's borders. Now every one wants to trample our beautiful green grass with out the respect (as you say) or the commitment needed to keep the grass green.
So glad I got to call you my friend, and all the others on here that have the same values we do.
I am prejudice in who I call friends.