Stars and Stripes Forever - Lyrics by Charles Burr
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The Stars And Stripes Forever
John Philip Sousa came back to earth one day!
He looked around at what he found here
all the contradictions that abound here
Good surviving, evil thriving,
everything in disarray ...
With frown and mouth turned upside down
He said "This'll never do!
dead level never do!
Don't they know to show some pride
in who they are!
The pioneers of former years were
not without their doubts and woes and fears but
They know well the love of God would
never let them go astray!
But here today where there's no fear
of dark in the wilderness some are in wilderness
They must shift and lift their gaze to some new star!
By a star in the east the least of men
once were succored in time of needing
For the star promised peace to those in pain
and from Galilee was Westwardly proceeding.
With the star of the West the best of men
now are siding in their endeavor
To restore as of yore their country's pride
in the glory of the stars and stripes forever.
Three cheers for the red, white and blue,
for the red is the blood of our brothers.
The white is the light of the star that has led us to where we are.
The blue is the hue of the sky
where on high the Almighty falters never.
Our banner for two hundred years!
Oh pioneers! Here's to the stars and stripes forever!
The Washington Post
A government post is most essential,
No matter if it be big or small
considered an honor by us all.
A government post is influential for people who serve
with vigor and verve to see that we get what we deserve.
The capitol dome is home and beauty
to many who cherish freedom still,
who try to present the people's will.
And capitol hill is still on duty with men of intent
the people have sent to govern the land they represent.
And though there's room for improvement still--
albeit the men are men of good will--
The years have proved time and time again
that we can be proud of our legislature.
You read of a few who are out of place--
and to our despair have courted disgrace--
But they are rare in this land of grace
and have to be viewed as a part of nature.
And so are we who need a high Authority
beyond the resident president now in power.
Though he may be our fairest flower,
a man of rare integrity, a flower only blossoms for an hour
The highest chair of all the nations everywhere
is our politic'ly critical chief of state.
Yet he's a man and not exempt from tempting human vanity
forgetting who is good and who is great!
For mortal pride is not the guide
by which to find for humankind
A world of peace when war will cease
to be the blight of all creation!
It must be said that on the presidential head
a heavy mortally difficult crown must rest,
And that is why the people find he is the one to stand behind
to help the man to do his level best.
Reflecting still the Maker's will and being wise
in recognizing that the Lord will lead us forward to the light of our salvation.
In our belief even the greatest chief of state
will need benevolent Providence once begun
And should submit to heaven's host to benefit this land we love
the power of his post in Washington!
El Capitan
Give me no easy clever talk,
but show me the way you walk!
The men who led the trains
when we were marching across the plains
Were men of flesh and blood,
determination and brotherhood.
But they grew tired were inspired!
Yes! Like any other man.
They came from far away,
forgotten heroes of yesterday,
And one among the clan
was out in front when the trek began.
And all deferred to him,
preferred to stride beside "El Capitan."
He was El Capitan! The set of his head,
His tread, his gaze betrayed in a wealth
of healthy ways
The hallmarks of a man
the sort of a being called "El Cap-i-tan!"
Stride on, El Capitan!
Your ultimate goal, your role await
The way that you meet and greet your fate.
To end what you began is all you must do
to be "El Cap-i-tan!"
Just to learn to tie your shoe
and take a step or two
Was quite a feat to do when you were one or two.
At three or four you ran before
you understood full well how well you ran.
Pell mell you ran, and fell!
And as a child but running wild
you found that when you ran,
You ran without a plan, to end where you began.
Now fully grown and on your own
the measure of your gait, it's quality and weight all state!
"I am El Capitan! I show the smile
of a happy man.
Mile after mile I can lead the van,
so follow me, El Capitan!"
You are El Capitan! What you can do
any other man can do as well
If his heart be true we'll follow you, El Capitan!
The Liberty Bell
When men were living in wilderness two hundred years ago,
With many areas leaderless, exposed to every foe,
The only building for miles around that ev'ryone could see
Was just a peep o' the church and steeple across some distant tree.
He looked around at what he found here all the contradictions that abound here
Good surviving, evil thriving, everything in disarray ...
With frown and mouth turned upside down
He said "This'll never do! dead level never do!
Don't they know to show some pride in who they are!
The pioneers of former years were not without their doubts and woes and fears but
They know well the love of God would never let them go astray!
But here today where there's no fear of dark in the wilderness some are in wilderness
They must shift and lift their gaze to some new star!
By a star in the east the least of men once were succored in time of needing
For the star promised peace to those in pain and from Galilee was Westwardly proceeding.
With the star of the West the best of men now are siding in their endeavor
To restore as of yore their country's pride in the glory of the stars and stripes forever.
Three cheers for the red, white and blue, for the red is the blood of our brothers.
The white is the light of the star that has led us to where we are.
The blue is the hue of the sky where on high the Almighty falters never.
Our banner for two hundred years! Oh pioneers! Here's to the stars and stripes forever!
The Washington Post
A government post is most essential,
No matter if it be big or small
considered an honor by us all.
A government post is influential for people who serve
with vigor and verve to see that we get what we deserve.
The capitol dome is home and beauty
to many who cherish freedom still,
who try to present the people's will.
And capitol hill is still on duty with men of intent
the people have sent to govern the land they represent.
And though there's room for improvement still--
albeit the men are men of good will--
The years have proved time and time again
that we can be proud of our legislature.
You read of a few who are out of place--
and to our despair have courted disgrace--
But they are rare in this land of grace
and have to be viewed as a part of nature.
And so are we who need a high Authority
beyond the resident president now in power.
Though he may be our fairest flower,
a man of rare integrity, a flower only blossoms for an hour
The highest chair of all the nations everywhere
is our politic'ly critical chief of state.
Yet he's a man and not exempt from tempting human vanity
forgetting who is good and who is great!
For mortal pride is not the guide
by which to find for humankind
A world of peace when war will cease
to be the blight of all creation!
It must be said that on the presidential head
a heavy mortally difficult crown must rest,
And that is why the people find he is the one to stand behind
to help the man to do his level best.
Reflecting still the Maker's will and being wise
in recognizing that the Lord will lead us forward to the light of our salvation.
In our belief even the greatest chief of state
will need benevolent Providence once begun
And should submit to heaven's host to benefit this land we love
the power of his post in Washington!
El Capitan
Give me no easy clever talk,
but show me the way you walk!
The men who led the trains
when we were marching across the plains
Were men of flesh and blood,
determination and brotherhood.
But they grew tired were inspired!
Yes! Like any other man.
They came from far away,
forgotten heroes of yesterday,
And one among the clan
was out in front when the trek began.
And all deferred to him,
preferred to stride beside "El Capitan."
He was El Capitan! The set of his head,
His tread, his gaze betrayed in a wealth
of healthy ways
The hallmarks of a man
the sort of a being called "El Cap-i-tan!"
Stride on, El Capitan!
Your ultimate goal, your role await
The way that you meet and greet your fate.
To end what you began is all you must do
to be "El Cap-i-tan!"
Just to learn to tie your shoe
and take a step or two
Was quite a feat to do when you were one or two.
At three or four you ran before
you understood full well how well you ran.
Pell mell you ran, and fell!
And as a child but running wild
you found that when you ran,
You ran without a plan, to end where you began.
Now fully grown and on your own
the measure of your gait, it's quality and weight all state!
"I am El Capitan! I show the smile
of a happy man.
Mile after mile I can lead the van,
so follow me, El Capitan!"
You are El Capitan! What you can do
any other man can do as well
If his heart be true we'll follow you, El Capitan!
The Liberty Bell
When men were living in wilderness two hundred years ago,
With many areas leaderless, exposed to every foe,
The only building for miles around that ev'ryone could see
Was just a peep o' the church and steeple across some distant tree.
No matter if it be big or small considered an honor by us all.
A government post is influential for people who serve with vigor and verve to see that we get what we deserve.
The capitol dome is home and beauty to many who cherish freedom still, who try to present the people's will.
And capitol hill is still on duty with men of intent the people have sent to govern the land they represent.
And though there's room for improvement still-- albeit the men are men of good will--
The years have proved time and time again that we can be proud of our legislature.
You read of a few who are out of place-- and to our despair have courted disgrace--
But they are rare in this land of grace and have to be viewed as a part of nature.
And so are we who need a high Authority beyond the resident president now in power.
Though he may be our fairest flower, a man of rare integrity, a flower only blossoms for an hour
The highest chair of all the nations everywhere is our politic'ly critical chief of state.
Yet he's a man and not exempt from tempting human vanity forgetting who is good and who is great!
For mortal pride is not the guide by which to find for humankind
A world of peace when war will cease to be the blight of all creation!
It must be said that on the presidential head a heavy mortally difficult crown must rest,
And that is why the people find he is the one to stand behind to help the man to do his level best.
Reflecting still the Maker's will and being wise in recognizing that the Lord will lead us forward to the light of our salvation.
In our belief even the greatest chief of state will need benevolent Providence once begun
And should submit to heaven's host to benefit this land we love the power of his post in Washington!
El Capitan
Give me no easy clever talk,
but show me the way you walk!
The men who led the trains
when we were marching across the plains
Were men of flesh and blood,
determination and brotherhood.
But they grew tired were inspired!
Yes! Like any other man.
They came from far away,
forgotten heroes of yesterday,
And one among the clan
was out in front when the trek began.
And all deferred to him,
preferred to stride beside "El Capitan."
He was El Capitan! The set of his head,
His tread, his gaze betrayed in a wealth
of healthy ways
The hallmarks of a man
the sort of a being called "El Cap-i-tan!"
Stride on, El Capitan!
Your ultimate goal, your role await
The way that you meet and greet your fate.
To end what you began is all you must do
to be "El Cap-i-tan!"
Just to learn to tie your shoe
and take a step or two
Was quite a feat to do when you were one or two.
At three or four you ran before
you understood full well how well you ran.
Pell mell you ran, and fell!
And as a child but running wild
you found that when you ran,
You ran without a plan, to end where you began.
Now fully grown and on your own
the measure of your gait, it's quality and weight all state!
"I am El Capitan! I show the smile
of a happy man.
Mile after mile I can lead the van,
so follow me, El Capitan!"
You are El Capitan! What you can do
any other man can do as well
If his heart be true we'll follow you, El Capitan!
The Liberty Bell
When men were living in wilderness two hundred years ago,
With many areas leaderless, exposed to every foe,
The only building for miles around that ev'ryone could see
Was just a peep o' the church and steeple across some distant tree.
The men who led the trains when we were marching across the plains
Were men of flesh and blood, determination and brotherhood.
But they grew tired were inspired! Yes! Like any other man.
They came from far away, forgotten heroes of yesterday,
And one among the clan was out in front when the trek began.
And all deferred to him, preferred to stride beside "El Capitan."
He was El Capitan! The set of his head, His tread, his gaze betrayed in a wealth of healthy ways
The hallmarks of a man the sort of a being called "El Cap-i-tan!"
Stride on, El Capitan! Your ultimate goal, your role await
The way that you meet and greet your fate.
To end what you began is all you must do to be "El Cap-i-tan!"
Just to learn to tie your shoe and take a step or two
Was quite a feat to do when you were one or two.
At three or four you ran before you understood full well how well you ran.
Pell mell you ran, and fell!
And as a child but running wild you found that when you ran,
You ran without a plan, to end where you began.
Now fully grown and on your own the measure of your gait, it's quality and weight all state!
"I am El Capitan! I show the smile of a happy man.
Mile after mile I can lead the van, so follow me, El Capitan!"
You are El Capitan! What you can do any other man can do as well
If his heart be true we'll follow you, El Capitan!
The Liberty Bell
When men were living in wilderness two hundred years ago,
With many areas leaderless, exposed to every foe,
The only building for miles around that ev'ryone could see
Was just a peep o' the church and steeple across some distant tree.
With many areas leaderless, exposed to every foe,
The only building for miles around that ev'ryone could see
Was just a peep o' the church and steeple across some distant tree.
They had no means to communicate--the distances were vast.
In time of danger the fear was great--each day might be their last.
They found they needed a sound quite independent of the eye,
A bell whose ringing would send it's singing across God's open sky.
Well, no one can build a bell of earth and wood,
No matter how much in need the neighborhood.
For funds to send to a foundry they decided to strive,
And prayed to God each day that they'd survive.
And, when in a foreign land their bell was cast
The men of the wilderness took heart at last
For through their common endeavor they had struggled and thrived
And so they blessed the day the bell arrived.
Ding dong, ding dong, hear the tolling bell
Bing bong, bing bong, ringing through the dell.
And miles away the people kneel and pray
And if they're late on Sunday morning
It's a warning better hurry!
Bing bong, bing bong, hourly the chime
Ding dong, ding dong, told the people time,
The men and wives who lived their simple lives
To help create an independent state.
And under attack, the foe at their back,
The sound of the bell would tell them of danger.
And time and again the women and men
Were saved by the bell that came from a neighbor.
Until in time it came to be the source of their security,
To ev'ry farmer, mountaineer and granger.
Ding dong, ding dong, hear the bell resound
Bing bong, bing bong, many miles around.
It came to be to each community the voice that bade them
Pray together, stay together, free from worry.
Bing bong, bing bong, as they did expand,
Ding dong, ding dong, towns throughout the land
Acquired their chime until they rang in time
From sea to sea the voice of liberty.
And when there was war, they heard as before
It's clamorous tone in bold oratory
And then on the morn the nation was born
The liberty bell could herald the story
It rang in independence hall to represent for one and all
A country bound for great renown and glory
Ding dong, ding dong, hear the bells proclaim
Bing bong, bing bong, sing the country's name.
United States where each participates
So long as we can chime together,
Rhyme and stay in time together.
Bing Bong, bing bong, heed it's ringing plea,
Ding dong, ding dong, so the world may see
What men can do when they will follow through
And listen to the bell of liberty!
King Cotton
To cotton someone is naturally to like and love them, 'tis true.
We'd like to know how this came to be and how this sentiment grew.
We'd like to know how this came to be and how this sentiment grew.
This humble cloth immune to moth has served the nation
Since it's creation and flies above this land we love--
Our flag, the red white and blue.
We always "cotton to" those we love for whom our feeling is dear.
And "cotton to" is a phrase we have, a way of creating cheer.
Perhaps we choose these words to use
For wool is carded and then discarded.
Though much make we synthetically
God's cotton always was here!
If we truly could learn to "cotton to" the Deity's design
The state of affairs we've gotten to could still be made benign
Our diff'rences forgotten we could all begin to cotton
To whoever has too much of woe to know God's love divine.
Then think of the boon we've been to him to whom we love extend.
In other words as a synonym to seek and make a friend!
We should not feel this role we play to be too meek and lowly
For the Prince of Peace most holy lived that we might comprehend.
Then as we cotton to the good in brotherhood,
Conscious of the deeds yet not done,
We have to train ourselves to care and be aware
The raiment we must wear is cotton.
As men and women of that cloth we then betroth
All our lives to being taught in the loving harmony we share
With those who dare to go bedecked in prayer and cotton.
Let not passion or pride turn us aside ever!
We have God on our side. He'll be denied never!
Our affinity with divinity is the cloak we bear forever!
To love thy neighbor is divine and makes us shine
With a grace from heaven gotten, and with the strenght of heaven's seal
Our wounds we heal with amity and zeal and cotton.
Be not faint in the heart. God will impart friends too.
See what joy and delight music at night sends you!
See what happiness living friendship is! How eternal bliss unbends you!
So let us worship at the throne of Him alone,
Following God's son begotten, and know compassion is the thing
Of which we sing the true embodying of cotton!
Semper Fidelis
"Semper fidelis" is a fabulous Latin motto meaning that in
centuries of Roman might the soldier swore that he would fight
For Caesar, never questioning if he might return
or if the enemy when they attack could be driven aback--
And that's what it means.
"We're ever faithful" is the general gist
in countries that are Christian
Though it means almost the same we pledge no longer to the name
Of Caesar, but to principles of the land we know and love,
Bestowing the motto in war of our readiest corps--the mighty Marines.
Men are dutiful to things contradictory--
loving all that is beautiful--knowing battle and victory.
They expect our expressions benedictory, and they find it
perplexing and vexing and odd when we are shocked.
They've forgotten the old established verities,
seeking only for fame and gold, seeing only disparities.
Those who worship the one true God are rarities
who remember the Biblical saying that God will not be mocked!
When the call to the true believer
comes from the Church of God
Will they all in their heart receive Him
go where He bids them trod?
Will the men who appear deserving, who to their faith are true,
answer when they are called to serving, do what she bids them do?
For many men profess their loyalty to true democracy
yet bow to mockery and bend the knee to aristocracy,
for to live their creed their need is small.
And may men proclaim their worthines, display their lowliness,
disclaim their earthiness. Oh give us strength to seek true holiness,
and in word and deed to heed the call!
The Thunderer
God is the thunderer, earth-quaking, soul-shaking.
He drives asunder our notions unreal.
As His lightning shows the way--
Fear-height'ning, night-bright'ning--
His living word today He doth reveal.
That still we be taught, He will show us first,
Lightning in a burst of thought
And then speak His word--thundering His sign
That the law divine be heard.
So even the blind cannot fail to see
How the world that He designed
Responds to his voice, thundering on high
Till the earth and sky rejoice.
And so with us still, as man intends
So do his ends reflect his will.
So then let us pray that we endorse
The Maker's course in ev'ry way.
As God rules the world and from above
Commanding love His word is hurled,
So we down below should so contend
That we commend the Lord we know.
If in our hearts we bear our Heavenly Father's care,
Then though we meet dissension argument and contention,
We will bring comprehension to the world we share.
God in His might created earth
And gave it birth commanding light.
His light is the truth for which we pray
To guide each day in age and youth.
Then if we go astray as in the world we stay,
If in our lives we blunder, falter and go asunder,
Still we will hear Him thundering to guide our way.
Let heaven ring and so transmit
The holy writ the angels sing--
His word all sublime designed to last
For all the past and future time!
For Caesar, never questioning if he might return or if the enemy when they attack could be driven aback-- And that's what it means.
"We're ever faithful" is the general gist in countries that are Christian Though it means almost the same we pledge no longer to the name
Of Caesar, but to principles of the land we know and love, Bestowing the motto in war of our readiest corps--the mighty Marines.
Men are dutiful to things contradictory-- loving all that is beautiful--knowing battle and victory.
They expect our expressions benedictory, and they find it perplexing and vexing and odd when we are shocked.
They've forgotten the old established verities, seeking only for fame and gold, seeing only disparities.
Those who worship the one true God are rarities who remember the Biblical saying that God will not be mocked!
When the call to the true believer comes from the Church of God
Will they all in their heart receive Him go where He bids them trod?
Will the men who appear deserving, who to their faith are true, answer when they are called to serving, do what she bids them do?
For many men profess their loyalty to true democracy yet bow to mockery and bend the knee to aristocracy, for to live their creed their need is small.
And may men proclaim their worthines, display their lowliness, disclaim their earthiness. Oh give us strength to seek true holiness, and in word and deed to heed the call!
The Thunderer
God is the thunderer, earth-quaking, soul-shaking.
He drives asunder our notions unreal.
As His lightning shows the way--
Fear-height'ning, night-bright'ning--
His living word today He doth reveal.
That still we be taught, He will show us first,
Lightning in a burst of thought
And then speak His word--thundering His sign
That the law divine be heard.
So even the blind cannot fail to see
How the world that He designed
Responds to his voice, thundering on high
Till the earth and sky rejoice.
And so with us still, as man intends
So do his ends reflect his will.
So then let us pray that we endorse
The Maker's course in ev'ry way.
As God rules the world and from above
Commanding love His word is hurled,
So we down below should so contend
That we commend the Lord we know.
If in our hearts we bear our Heavenly Father's care,
Then though we meet dissension argument and contention,
We will bring comprehension to the world we share.
God in His might created earth
And gave it birth commanding light.
His light is the truth for which we pray
To guide each day in age and youth.
Then if we go astray as in the world we stay,
If in our lives we blunder, falter and go asunder,
Still we will hear Him thundering to guide our way.
Let heaven ring and so transmit
The holy writ the angels sing--
His word all sublime designed to last
For all the past and future time!
He drives asunder our notions unreal.
As His lightning shows the way--
Fear-height'ning, night-bright'ning--
His living word today He doth reveal.
That still we be taught, He will show us first,
Lightning in a burst of thought
And then speak His word--thundering His sign
That the law divine be heard.
So even the blind cannot fail to see
How the world that He designed
Responds to his voice, thundering on high
Till the earth and sky rejoice.
And so with us still, as man intends
So do his ends reflect his will.
So then let us pray that we endorse
The Maker's course in ev'ry way.
As God rules the world and from above
Commanding love His word is hurled,
So we down below should so contend
That we commend the Lord we know.
If in our hearts we bear our Heavenly Father's care,
Then though we meet dissension argument and contention,
We will bring comprehension to the world we share.
God in His might created earth
And gave it birth commanding light.
His light is the truth for which we pray
To guide each day in age and youth.
Then if we go astray as in the world we stay,
If in our lives we blunder, falter and go asunder,
Still we will hear Him thundering to guide our way.
Let heaven ring and so transmit
The holy writ the angels sing--
His word all sublime designed to last
For all the past and future time!
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