What It Means To Be A Patriot

[LiveFreeorDie]

Well...with all the stuff going on this year, I thought it was especially important to be mindful of the Fourth of July this year for those of us who are American. I wanted to share a song that captures many of my feelings currently what with the state of things presently. This song was originally written by Steven Van Zandt (he is Silvio on the Sopranos as well a member of Bruce's E-Street Band for those of you who don't know him). Anyway.....I went to see Pearl Jam last year on July 3rd in Mansfield, Mass and they played a cover of his song called "I am a Patriot". Those of you who are PJ fans probably know this is a common staple in their touring catalog. Anyway.....I have been listening to my CD of that concert a lot and the words to that song are rather powerful in light of everything. So, I thought I would share the lyrics as sort of a "happy 4th of July and let's all think about what it really means to be an American this weekend and also ponder what we can do to get back on the right track" sort of thing. Anyway....that's my ramble for the evening. If anyone has an interest in downloading the song, the Mansfield show is on I-Tunes - its July 3rd, 2003 #63 Mansfield. I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!!

I Am A Patriot
Steven Van Zandt


I was walking…with my brother,
And he wondered, oh how I am.
Said what I believe in my soul
Ain’t what I see with my eyes,
And there’s no turning back this time.

I am a patriot, and I love my country,
Because my country is all I know.
Wanna be with my family,
People who understand me.
I got no place else to go.

I was walking…..with my girlfriend.
I was drunk on wine
It was the only way I could……ease my mind
Said I want to run like the lions
Released from their cages...
Released from the rages
Burning in my soul tonight.

I am a patriot………..and I love my country,
Because my country………is all I know.

And I ain’t no communist,
And I ain’t no socialist,
And I ain’t no capitalist,
And I ain’t no imperialist,
And I ain’t no Democrat,
Sure ain’t no Republican either,
I only know one party, I only know one party
And that is………..freedom.

I am...I am...I am...

I am a patriot, and I love my country,
Because my country is all I know.

And the rivers shall open for the righteous,
And the rivers shall open for the righteous,
And the rivers shall open for the righteous someday...
Someday...someday...

[tecia]

I'm going to be in Paris and alone on the 4th!!!
I have been good about not missing my fam and friends so far but i think i will miss them so much then!!!
And on top of it all in France
well it will be interesting

[joanofarc]

i really love fourth of july barbeques!! and those yumme deserts some folk make with cool whip, blueberries, strawberries and pond cake in the shape of a flag - yum!

[omisan]

Tecia - Ya know, there's a mini Statue of Liberty in France, just west of the Eiffel Tower, just in case you get homesick!

[joanofarc]

i wish i could edit.

yummie desserts - pound cake

[voyd]

Awaken wit me...

I'd like this whole country to AWAKEN from the deep slumber the media got us all under.
TV's da dope, we remote-controlled into fake heroes & hope.
Strung out like puppets on strings, our every move is leashed from behind the wings of liberty, freedumb and dumbocracy.
Please.
Step outta line and feel the hand of a dark mastermind pull you back into the mix - the Matrix..
You just can't escape it,
So awaken from the bliss of ignorance.
Sandman, breakin' us down, a 1/4 billion minds 6 feet deep underground.
Weapons of Mass Realization never to be found..

Freedom is a great gift - so let's not squander it. We all have freedom of thought and inquiry - but how many of us exercise it? Use it or lose it We The People!

Happy 4th all!

[worldwidemike]

Ditto, voyd. That is probably our greatest freedom: The ability to QUESTION. We don't have to take others' words for gospel...we don't have to worry that if we ask the wrong things we'll end up with a visit from a stone faced man.

worldwidemike