Cities of steel yet rise
From the soil of hope
Ballparks still fill
With the throaty cry of “Play ball!”
A nation turns its eyes
To a thin brown man
And climbs upon his shoulders
Struggling to rise above it
Learning its lessons once again
To live within its means
To be the good guy
To lead the world in grace
“We will rebuild
We will recover”
And so we shall
Yes we can

America yet smiles
On this day of celebration
Most will eat
Perhaps even over-eat
Most will drink their fill
Most will watch in awe
As the skies explode
In dazzling color, yet again
Most will pause
And take that moment of gratitude
For the land of the free and fortunate
For the land of hope and promise
For a better world
Some will even raise their expectations
Because things are getting better
Slowly, like he said
But they are getting better
For most of us

Many will laugh
And forget their weary jobs for a day
Forget their worrisome economics
In a barrage of fireworks
Lighting up the sky with hope
Many will turn to their families
Watch a game
Drink a beer
Wolf down a hotdog
Spill mustard on her shirt
Live free

Perhaps it will rain
Probably it will be hot
Most likely we will wear ourselves out
Celebrating the birth of America
Celebrating a declaration of independence
Celebrating a handful of strong men
Who once had a dream
And made it come true
Who once made a wish
Tossed their coins into a fountain
And up popped America
The home of the brave
Home sweet home
A grand slam home run
Oh say, does that star-spangled banner
Yet wave
O’er the land of the free
And the home of the hopeful

Oh say, can you see
The rebirth of America
The rebirth of responsibility
The rebirth of hard work
The rebirth of higher values
Integrity, compassion, respect
The rebirth of our right place in the world

The Statue of Liberty stands outside my window
Her crown reopening for all
The first time since 9/11
Stand in that crown today
And look upon America
Like the Ellis Island immigrants of old
With tears in your eyes
Hope in your hearts
And renewal on your minds
Come to the new land
Re-create the new world
If we take those human footsteps
God will bless America
If we live the lives of those founding fathers
God will bless America
If we work the fields and mend the fences
God will bless America

So let us pray for America:
America America
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good
With brotherhood
From sea to shining sea