Saturday, July 04, 2009

USA Celebrates

It's my first Independence Day as a US citizen! Nothing special on the agenda - just staying indoors to avoid the heat, 'skeeters and allergens. We might venture into the front yard tonight to watch the fireworks in the park, at a distance.

I love this famous song, written by Woody Guthrie, son of Oklahoma, whose birthday (14 July) was just 10 days later than that of his native country. I can sing along now because this is now "my land" - at last! It's sung here by Steve Earle, one of that rare breed: a country music artist who is also a left wing activist. He has Sun in late Capricorn opposed by rebellious Uranus with expansive Jupiter in Cancer. Mercury is in...Aquarius! (Wouldn't you know it!) I'm quite surprised his photograph wasn't part of this collection of photographs and details of Red State/Blue State singers of their different versions of what constitutes a patriotic song.

Enjoy July 4th celebrations y'all!

This land is your land This land is my land
From California to the New York island;
From the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and Me.

As I was walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway:
I saw below me that golden valley:
This land was made for you and me.

I've roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
And all around me a voice was sounding:
This land was made for you and me.

When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting:
This land was made for you and me.

As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me.

In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
By the relief office I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me?

Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.



8 comments:

Wisewebwoman said...

Happy America Day dear T. Long may you live in your adopted land who are very lucky to have you on board!!
XO
WWW

Anonymous said...

congrats :D

Shawn Carson said...

Hi Twilight!
Consider yourself
Part of the crowd
Consider yourself
Part of the family

Ever heard Steve Earle sing Copperhead Road?
That song gives me chills every time i hear it!

anthonynorth said...

That's a great song. And it's good to see you feel a part of your adopted country. Congrats.

Twilight said...

WWW; BadGlue;ShawnCarson;
anthonynorth:

Thanks y'all! :-)

Evening storms flooded out any public firework display in town, probably a lot of barbecues too.
Still it's a wee bit cooler today - for now.

Laura said...

Hope you had a great July 4 weekend. No better reminder of what is the greatest country in the world :)

Twilight said...

Shawn ~~ forgot to say - yes I remember Copperhead Road from years ago when i was a great fan of country music. Good one! :-)

Twilight said...

Laura ~~ Nice day, yes thanks Laura - nothing special done though. Hope yours was good too.

Yes, this country has the potential to be really great, it's had to limp along for many years losing some of its reputation, but with a bit of luck and a lot of faith in it, it could be back on form again before too long.

The land itself has always been beautiful!