Music tells of
independence, pain, pride
Staff writer
It’s Independence Day again. To lots of people it means family, barbecues, apple pie, and fireworks.
But to many singers and songwriters, it means so much more.
Music is an art, an expression of pain, love, and pride. Many songs speak about hard-fought freedom and the thankfulness of being a U.S. citizen.
People are familiar with patriotic classics like “God Bless America,” “The Star- Spangled Banner,” and “America the Beautiful.”
Contemporary artists also have given us many songs of valor, courage, tragedy and triumph.
Singer Lee Greenwood had wanted to write a song about America. His song, “God Bless the USA,” has become an icon in times of war, terrorism, and tragedy.
Johnnie Cash’s “This Ragged Old Flag,” was a spoken-word tribute to patriotism.
It is a tale of one man’s criticism for a small town’s flag and an old man’s pride in the same tattered symbol of freedom.
Neil Diamond’s song, “Coming to America,” made listeners feel the excitement and possibilities of immigrants wishing for a better life.
The fighting spirit of America is found in many songs, such as “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” by Toby Keith, which was in direct response to the 9/11 bombings.
Alan Jackson coped with his feelings of 9/11 with “Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning.”
Billy Ray Cyrus paid tribute to sacrifices of all veterans of war in his song, “Some Gave All” while Keith’s “American Soldier,” examines the life of today’s serviceman and women.
Keith said of the song, “It’s because of American soldiers, we can sleep in peace tonight.”
Music comes from the heart and the mind. These patriotic songs celebrate the freedom and opportunity to be found in America, where anything is possible.