This Precious Word, America

LISTEN, MY SON
LISTEN TO THIS PRECIOUS WORD, AMERICA!

AMERICA, the beautiful
AMERICA, the free
AMERICA, so rich with hope
And opportunity!

Listen to her story
The struggling of man
The heritage this country wears
And how it all began.

Once upon a time
When this land was fresh and new
It longed for man to conquer it
To work, to till, to do.

Stalwart men it needed
Who'd fight mid toil and strife
To bring their wives and children here
And build a better life.

And so your great forefathers
In vision saw the same
Fled from their oppressions
And to this promised land they came.

And oh, my son, would that you knew
The sacrifice and fear
The suffering that they endured
To bring their children here.

Crying children, weeping wives
Blood and sweat and pain
Hungering, and sick and weak
But still, by faith, they came.

For this land promised peace on earth
That mankind could be free
To think his thought, dream his dreams
And be what he could be!

Oh, listen to the rolling drums
The story that they tell
Hear the trumpet sound it's notes
Of peace and "all is well."

Now look about you, cast your eyes
Upon the beauties here
Feel the vastness of the skies
And all that we hold dear.

See the turning whells go forth
The power lifts, so strong
The mightiness in action
As America moves on.

Go my son, She's begging you
To reach and grasp and climb
So much is yet to conquer
So much is yet to find.

Match your strength with mountains high
Test your courage too
Against the throbbing winds and rain
Now prove what you can do.

Can't you hear their voices
As they cry out from the dust
Carry on America
And this we know, we must!

Watch Old Glory proudly wave
She reigns in dignity
Salute her with a grateful heart
For this land of liberty!