i miss america

There once was a land where a lady would stand
With her lamp raised at the golden door
Saying, “bring me your huddled masses, tired and poor”
Now that welcome don’t seem so welcome any more
O—I miss America.

There once was a place where the whole human race
Could yearn to breathe free—haven of liberty—
Land of the brave, home of the free
Today the fearful forfeit freedom for a lock and key
O—I miss America.

O say, can you see me, I’m your neighbor
Like you I struggle and labor
I pull my own weight and do my share
And believe, yes I dare
That though we may differ
Together we are stronger than apart
E pluribus unum
O—we are America.

There once was a time where speaking your mind
Was a sign that you stood up like a grown man
And the strong one protected the weak one
Now the self-righteous belittle the meek one
O—I miss America.

Oh what do you do when the red, white and blue
Become a cloak to hide dirty laundry
And a muffle to choke those who disagree
And the emblem no longer serves to set us free?
O—I miss America.

Have you ever heard of a high-flying bird
Who can soar the sky with one wing missing?

Today I stand in my native land
Turn off the TV and I step out my door
To neighbor and stranger I offer my hand
Saying, “this land it is your land…This land it is my land”
E pluribus unum
O—we are America.
O—we are America.

(These are lyrics which you can hear recorded here: i miss america)
© 2006 Steve Eulberg, Administered by Owl Mountain Music, Inc.