I'm Proud To Be An American
I’m proud to be an American,
For surely we are blessed!
The Hand of God reaches lovingly out to caress
Our saints, our patriots, our sons we’ve laid to rest.
I’m proud to be an American—
Here, I know I’m free:
Just for existing, I’m told, I get to be
Brave and bold, not bound by sun or sea.
I’m proud to be an American;
You must know that’s true;
But it must be said that brave, bold, and blue
Is a hard reputation to live up to.
I’m proud to be an American,
But sometimes, it’s really hard—
Those my country is supposed to guard
End up broken, and in the pile of discard.
I’m proud to be an American,
And I’m tired of being silent
While missiles carry out sins and violent
Messages of terror to Syria, sent out by a tyrant.
I’m proud to be an American,
But how can I sit idly by
When pollution makes it impossible to see the sky?
When everyone continues to turn a blind eye?
I’m proud to be an American.
This, at least, I know;
Sometimes, I wonder how this is so
When sons are ripped from mothers crying in the snow.
I’m proud to be an American,
But every day teachers take the blame
When students refuse to aim
Their attention on the lessons and leave their minds the same.
I’m proud to be an American,
Though I see that things need to change:
African Americans cannot arrange
Protests without becoming targets at a firing range.
I’m proud to be an American,
And it’s plain as day to me
Adoption should never be
As stressful and heartbreaking for those who can’t make two into three.
I’m proud to be an American;
And on some days, I don’t know what to say—
But when the sunshine fades to gray,
I know I’ll be there singing when at last there is a new day.