Let's re-write Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA"!!!

[Ian David]

I think that DU rules forbid me from posting the original lyrics in their entirety (due to copyright)?

I suspect that if I post a FEW of the original lines, and not the song in its entirety, we should be OK, yes?

Here is a page where the original lyrics are posted:
http://www.musicsonglyrics.com/L/leegreenwoodlyrics/leegreenwoodgodblesstheusalyrics.htm

I think we should all collaborate on this!

Here is what I have done on my own so far. The lines in bold are mine, but if you have better ones, feel free to suggest changes.

God Save The USA
(Or perhaps "I miss the USA")

In November all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today,
We can't let Kenneth Blackwell take that away.

I was PROUD to be an American, where I once thought I was free.
And I won't forgive the men who tried, to steal my vote from me.
And I sadly hang my, head in shame, for what's done in my name
'Cause America's not Jesusland, God save the USA.

You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one*,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time we stand and say that

I was PROUD to be an American, where I once thought I was free.
And I won't forgive the men who tried, to steal my vote from me.
And I'd sadly hang my head in shame, for what's done in my name
'Cause America's not Jesusland, God save the USA.

I'm PROUD to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land (love this land)God bless the USA.

Here is a page where the original lyrics are posted:
http://www.musicsonglyrics.com/L/leegreenwoodlyrics/leegreenwoodgodblesstheusalyrics.htm

*Yes, I intentionally borrowed a line from "Imagine", by John Lennon.
http://www.merseyworld.com/imagine/lyrics/imagine.htm

Also, here are some lines and I couldn't fit, that I think it would be great to work into the song somewhere:

Something about "Democracy can't be spread from the barrel of a gun"

Something about Diebold and crew

Something like, "Although I hate to say it, we now know France was right."

Something about Abu Abu Ghraib, Weapons of Mass Destruction, The Patriot Act, etc.

Also, there is no need to keep each refrain the same. Having three refrains gives us three more different messages we can use.

LET'S HAVE SOME FUN THE NEXT TIME YOU GO TO A KARAOKE BAR!!

[ohioliberal]

1. Pretty damn good!

[bobweaver]

2. Change "just my children and my wife" to, "just my husband and my wife"

[Ian David]

3. Just my husband and my wife?

Are you writing a song about the whole country, or just about Utah?

:)

[bobweaver]

6. If it was Utah, it would would be "just my children and 12 wives"

[GOPBasher]

4. That's awesome!

I like that.

[Andyjunction]

5. I did this a few years ago:

If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd known for all my life
Like my freedom and security
Replaced with doubt and strife
I'd curse the fickle fates
To be livin' here today
'Cause the flag once stood for freedom
But they're taking that away

But I'm proud I was an American
When the country was still free
I apologize to those who died
To win that right for me
And I sadly lay down next to you
And accept it here today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God help the USA