An Old (& New) Patriotic Song

True Patriotism

Friday, July 5, 2013

Friday, July 5, 2013
An Old (& New) Patriotic Song

An Old

(and New)

Patriotic Song

By

Francis William Bessler

Laramie, Wyoming

July 5th, 2013

 

       I was looking through a shed out back yesterday for a patriotic song I may have written in ages past, but have failed to include in any of my songs featured in this website.  Well, I found two: one called AMERICA - which I do not like and tossed in the trash - and another called TWINGE AT MY HEART - which I am "resurrecting" with a "new ending" here - to be found below.

       Yesterday was July 4th - a time of celebrating our nation's proclamation of Independence.  We did not become independent on July 4th, 1776, but we did proclaim we "intended" to strive for our independence from our mother country - England - on that day.  In truth, we had a whole War Of Independence to fight ahead of us on July 4th, 1776, for those of us who were alive then; but we did decide we would be willing to fight such a war on July 4th, 1776.

       If I had been living then, I probably would not have been among my fellow patriots in deciding in favor of any war.  I would have been one to argue for working out a peaceful separation with England - even if that process would take many years.  I would have also been one who would not have agreed to participate in our later Civil War either.  I would have taken the stance - or may have - that it is better to split America in two than to shed needless blood to keep it unified.  So what if we ended up with "two Americas"?  In reality, if I did not like one, I could "migrate" to the other.  Not a bad choice at all.  But why shed blood to keep one nation whole?  Just go about your life peacefully and bypass all needless conflict.  That is how I see it.

       I suspect not many agree with me, but that is the way it is with me.  I believe in Patriotism with a capital "P," so to speak, but I think there are two kinds of soldiers - warriors and non-warriors.  I guess I am one of those "non-warrior" types.  I don't see myself as a "coward" for not wanting to shed my blood or another's blood for a cause, but I am a firm believer that what I do will impact my soul.  Hurting another for any reason is "hurting myself".  Now, why in the world would I want to do that?

       I do realize, however, that others see it differently.  Many think no one should live in peace if they do not want to shed their blood for a cause.  Among those who claim such, however, are those I would call Idiot Patriots - who claim that some war is justified and are willing to defend our participation in a battle - as long as they do not have to supply any of the blood.  There are perhaps as many Idiot Patriots in this world as there are Genuine Patriots - the latter which I consider myself.

       An Idiot Patriot is akin to an Idiot Believer - to put it all into perspective.  An Idiot Believer, for instance is one who claims we should forgive, but does not choose to forgive - or one who claims people should be free to attend their own religious (or non-religious) beliefs - for they would not want to be denied the right to follow their own faith - but who dares to make it illegal for another believer to do as she or he believes.  Such are Idiot Believers.

       Well, I won't go into examples of Idiot Believers or Idiot Patriots.  I guess we all know of one or two.  Right?  Even some of our former Presidents and Vice Presidents have qualified as Idiot Patriots as I see it - and maybe our current President too.  Any one who claims he (or she) is in favor of some "warrior activity" but chooses instead to exempt him or herself from being a warrior is what I call an Idiot Patriot.  We have lots of politicians and pundits who would qualify as Idiot Patriots because behind the scenes they proclaim support for some warrior activity while exempting themselves in some way from having to supply themselves to an effort - that is, with gun in hand.

       But let me get on with my own "patriotic song".  OK?  I wrote it - or most of it - in 1971.  It is just by chance that I can share it with you now - for finding it among some old songs out in my shed - long forgotten.  My point in my song - with my new verses I just added today - is to offer the idea that patriotism comes in many different colors.  If one believes in his or her country, but in only one facet of that country, then one is still a patriot. 

       I have long been struck by our flag - and by the colors of it.  I think those colors mean something.  Red stands for something.  Blue stands for something; and White stands for something.  I will  offer what I think each color represents in my song to follow; but importantly, I think each of us should choose a color of choice and be a patriot according to that color.  There is lots of room in this world for lots of different beliefs and lots of ways to "defend freedom".  My song is only my attempt to say that.  Enjoy it as you will - and Be a True Patriot!

Thanks!

Francis William Bessler

 

TWINGE AT MY HEART

By

Francis William Bessler

Written in March, 1971;

Modified with three additional verses: 7/05/2013

 

REFRAIN:

There's a twinge at my heart

when I see Old Glory -

waving so proud and so free;

and I wonder how many times

it's told the story

of courage and valor and gallantry.

 

Several hundred years ago

this nation was founded

on the principle of freedom for all.

Although it's had many trials,

in justice, it still stands tall.

Refrain.

 

This nation is a land

of believers.

Our lives in the hands of Fortune we entrust.

There is no country greater -

America, the land of the just.

Refrain.

 

Onward we shall march

as soldiers,

armed with our armor for peace.

Let us march strong -

Americans, united in Freedom's Dream.

Refrain.

 

Wherever there's a challenge

for tomorrow,

as long as we believe we are right,

we will stand firm -

Americans - united in Freedom's Light.

Refrain.

 

For sure, there are many

kinds of soldiers.

A soldier is only one who believes.

So, Believe as you will;

and I will Believe as me.

Refrain.

 

Old Glory is made

of several colors.

It's made of red, white, and blue.

Red's for blood, Blue's for victory;

and White's for the Pursuit of Truth.

Refrain.

 

Maybe, Friends, someday

Old Glory

will be only White and Blue.

Maybe we can stop shedding blood;

and All will be Free in the Truth.

Refrain (several times).

  

Until next time, Adieu!

Your Bella Vita host,

Will Bessler

(Francis William Bessler)