First Verse Only, Please

I may have figured out why some folks just don’t get it; this country we call the United States of America, I mean. The ACLU, the Michael Newdows and the Ward Churhills must have a raspberry seed lodged between their molars as they gnaw and belly ache themselves and everyone around them into a tizzy. They never got past the first verse of anything that was important; I’ll explain.

This weekend we celebrate the 4th of July, our Independence Day. I know the music director at church wanted us to enjoy a couple of special hymns, The Star Spangled Banner, to open our services and, My Country, Tis of Thee, to close. I’m not sure how many other churches would have the congregation stand to sing The Star Spangled Banner; after all, this isn’t a sporting event and nobody’s going to throw out the first pitch and say, “Play Ball!”.

Most everyone, at least I’d hope most everyone is familiar with our National Anthem; but how many Americans even know that there are three more verses that complete the thoughts intended? When presented with the closing verse, how can anyone not understand the purpose of America and our ties with Heaven and the blessings imparted by our Creator? “But those are just words.”, some might say.

“Oh thus be it ever when free men shall stand, Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation! Blest with victory and peace may the heave’n rescued land Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our Trust!” And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

How can we ignore our heritage, it’s our National Anthem. Michael Newdow has declared that he’s offended by the words, “In God We Trust” and wants the government, the government of the United States of America to stop everything, hold the presses and get rid of those ancient words. I’m waiting for the next step in the war on history; getting a replacement National Anthem, one that won’t offend the godless world. Maybe something with a Caribbean beat, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”, by Bobby McFerrin has a chance. There’s no hint of aggression, no hint of anything for that matter

Our meeting ran overtime and the closing hymn had to be cut short; we sang only one verse of, My Country, Tis of Thee. I felt cheated, maybe that’s the wrong word, knowing the hymn has four verses that make it complete. I stayed after the services were over, after the closing prayer and read the complete hymn, especially the last part.

“Our fathers' God, to thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing; long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light; protect us by thy might, great God, our King.”

The separation of church and state which has been spoken of so forcefully by those who would deny our history is a stone wall being erected by those ungrateful reprobates who would deny our Father in Heaven credit for having established this great land, the author of liberty; it’s the stone wall in their hearts and minds, not one that is in the Constitution of the United States of America.

Where’s the boiling blood in our veins, the undimmed spirit of thought from our hearts and minds which our ancestors had, that which caused them to utter profound statements of patriotic pride?

"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" (Patrick Henry). I haven’t picked up one of the newer history books; rest assured there would only be part of that famous line printed. The PC police have carefully removed any reference to God; wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.

Are we a “first verse only” people now, content with having had our shot, able to sit back and watch as our great experiment in freedom slowly dies? Paul Simon wrote a song about such feelings, An American Tune.

“…And we come on the ship they call the Mayflower. We come on the ship that sailed the moon. We come in the age's most uncertain hours, and sing an American tune. Oh, and it's all right, it's all right, it's all right. You can't be forever blessed…”

No, it’s not alright to watch a beautiful dream disappear, to be swallowed by the ACLU hobgoblins, the Michael Newdows and the Ward Churchill hate mongers. It’s time to sing out, not just the first verse, the popular verse, the politically correct verse so not so many folks have to hear about God, our blessing from Heaven and all that rot.

“O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam, Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self control, Thy liberty in law.”

Or would you rather sit back on the sofa, catch the next guaranteed to startle episode of Desperate Housewives, Survivor or Treasure Hunters; your head tuned into anything other than what’s important as you wonder what happened.

“. . .Ah, but it's all right. It's all right. For we've lived so well so long. . .”

This will be my entry for the Carnival of Liberty hosted by Life, Liberty and Property.

Edited July 2, 2006 6:00pm

For a good read visit Principled Discovery’s article “Something to be Proud of.” Here’s a small sample:

“Our strength is not in our history, nor in our symbols and certainly not in our military. Our strength is in our character. In our ability to reason. In our ability to take responsibility for our own actions and for the plight of our neighbors.”