by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Happy Birthday, USA!

United Nations Building, Geneva Switzerland. Photo by Mathias P. R. Reading from Unsplash

Happy Birthday, USA!

July 4, 1776 was the day delegates from the thirteen colonies signed the Declaration of Independence from England. Those who signed the document did so at great personal risk. The bloody American Revolution followed under the leadership of General George Washington, who later became the first president of the United States.

To celebrate Independence Day, Americans will fly flags, watch fireworks shows, sing patriotic songs, and tell the stories of our history. Cookouts and picnics are also traditional.

Today, though we are celebrating our country’s birthday, the Global Community is uppermost in my mind. We are suffering from a worldwide pandemic, wars, and widespread racism and violence. Environmental problems threaten all of us.

Today I would like to share song lyrics that express my thoughts about our Global Community.

This Is My Song

This is my song, O God of all the nations,

a song of peace for lands afar and mine;

this is my home, the country where my heart is;

here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine:

but other hearts in other lands are beating

with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,

and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine;

but other lands have sunlight, too and clover,

and skies are everywhere as blue as mine:

O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,

a song of peace for their land and for mine.

May truth and freedom come to every nation;

may peace abound where strife has raged so long;

that each may seek to love and build together,

a world united, righting every wrong:

a world united in its love for freedom,

proclaiming peace together in one song.

Third stanza by Georgia Harkness. © 1964 Lorenz Publishing Company.

First and second stanzas by Lloyd Stone. © 1934, 1962 Lorenz Publishing Company.

To My Fellow Bloggers:

It has been very busy here. Nothing we can’t handle, but fatigue has set in, and a busy agenda still stretches in front of us. I am taking a break from WordPress and will miss all of you. ❤

All the best,

Cheryl

77 Comments

    1. Thank you, Angela. Yes, we will celebrate, but hopefully, we will not turn a blind eye to issues that need attention here or to the suffering of others wherever they are. May we always work with other nations to solve worldwide environmental issues and never again shirk our responsibilities.

      Thank you for your good wishes. Hope you have an opportunity to take part in the festivities. I guess fireworks may be limited this year because of the drought. Have a great weekend! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I am very sorry about that, Ingrid. It seems to be a mistake, and leaders are scrambling to put a patchwork of trade deals together to undo some of the damage. I don’t know very much about British politics, but that is how it looks from the news we get. 😦

        Liked by 1 person

      2. It’s all a big mess, but what can you do? I can still live and work in Europe, but I don’t have the same freedom of movement that I used to enjoy. A backward step. 😳

        Liked by 1 person

    2. The video I tried to put in this post had photos of African Americans and Native Americans as well as scenes from many countries. Sorry I couldn’t get it to work.

      Is there any real desire to withdraw from the association with the UK? Every once in a while, the state of Texas threatens to leave the Union. They withdrew from the US power grid some years ago and didn’t maintain their state power grid very well. When the big blizzard came last year, they were unprepared and suffered massive outages and broken water pipes.

      Thank you for your kind advice, Kate. ❤ I will do my best.

      Like

      Reply

      1. frankly I would prefer we broke away from uk and usa … they blatantly use us in wars. Better to kill us off than their own.

        Now we are the main base for all this huff n puff with china … no need to attack you guys they can just blow us to bits …. and so it goes on. We are a nation of door mats Cheryl!

        Liked by 1 person

    3. I think all wars should end…Young people dying for old people’s greed and lust for power is the reason for a lot of it, I believe. We should learn to solve problems with diplomacy. I can see it being even more of a problem if you feel your country is being “used.”

      Like

      Reply

  4. Beautiful representing all nations as One which leaders should read and adhere to maintaining as the people demand equality.
    Enjoy you break. Do not stress much. Relax. (hearts)
    Hugs

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Kritika! ❤ It seems that the saying is true, "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!" We do have to demand our rights from time to time because there is often a leader who wants to take them away from us. I will do my best to relax. Have a wonderful day!

      Liked by 2 people

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    1. I am sorry about the video, Ivor. Thank you for sharing this lovely recording that compliments this post very well. ❤
      There are several versions of the song on YouTube you may be able to get if you are interested. 🙂 Take care and have a pleasant day!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Glad you enjoyed it, Filarance. ❤ The song impressed me when I first saw it as a teenager in the church hymn book. Sorry I couldn't get the video to work, but there are several versions on YouTube if you would like to hear it.
      Thank you so much for your encouraging comment! ❤ Have a great day!

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Woww..! That’s so awesome dear Cheryl..! Fantastic..! Yes, I will go every Sunday to church..! I have hymn book with me..! Also heard many songs in YouTube also..! It’s ok my dear..! I love all the songs which is in hymn book..! I had sang in church many times..! It will give me peace and happiness..! You have written Amazingly..! And you’re very welcome dear..! It’s my pleasure.!! Have a beautiful day..!❤️

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Ritish. ❤ Your kind response is very much appreciated. Peace! It's a beautiful concept.

      I just realized that for some unknown reason, I am no longer getting notifications from your blog, and have resubscribed. 🙂 Take care.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Laura, for your good wishes. ❤ I will still answer a few emails when I can, but I have to prioritize an overwhelming agenda. When I get through this overly busy time, I will write something silly about it. 🙂 Have a wonderful 4th!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Simone. ❤ Yes, if everyone wanted peace, I think we would have it. Unfortunately, some manipulate young people to fight and use war for personal gain. Greed and power seem to be their motivations.

      I will be going on break soon. I will still answer a few emails when I have time but must give priority to the to-do list. Thank you for understanding. When this hectic period is over, I will write a goofy poem about it. 🙂 All the best.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. Happy 4th to you as well Dear Cheryl❣️. What a nice time to take a break on that song in all of our hearts while we continue to battle these challenging times. We continue to hold the torch for better days ahead. Rest up and have a good break Cheryl. You’ll be missed but we’ll be here when you get back to welcome you💖❣️❣️❣️🌷Take good care.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Cindy, thank you for your kind and encouraging words. Your comment means a lot to me. ❤ Glad you like the song. I first found it in our church hymnal when I was in high school and have loved it ever since.

      I am pretty exhausted and do need a rest. I will continue to respond to a few emails when I can, but my priority will be the tasks in front of me. When I come back, I will share my experiences. It will be comic once it's all behind us.

      Take care, Cindy. Happy 4th to you and your family! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. You’re so welcome Cheryl; I’m so glad. It truly is beautiful and so encouraging which we have to maintain even amongst all of the rubbish.

        I’m glad you’re going to rest. You can always email me if you want.. I couldn’t get through on yours last time. No pressure and rest up. So glad you’re optimistic that you will be having some comic releif shares when you return.
        Thanks for the wishes. 2 of the 4 will come and the 2 cats and Hunter and the 2 of us just arrived … the cat choir entertained as always💖💖💖
        Say healthy💖

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Dear Cheryl, wishes for a Happy Independence day to you. I loved reading that beautiful song again and again, and how it speaks of the celebrations and joys that are not only for ones own self, people and land, but for the whole world, the whole human race. If we all were able to think like that, the world would a much more beautiful place indeed 💖
    I am already on a break from WP, and trying to stay off for a few days away from most gadgets as I was feeling rather exhausted. Have a great refreshing break Cheryl, and when I come back to WP I will again look forward to many more such beautiful posts like this 💖

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Deb, thank you so much for your eloquent comment. ❤ I have always appreciated that song since I first read it in a hymn book as a teenager. To me, it describes the ideal world that we cannot fully achieve, but should always strive for.

      Hope you will find renewal and rest and will be back to share your thoughts and your family adventures. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. 🙂 All the best!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I always look forward to reading your beautiful posts Cheryl, whenever possible, whether on a hiatus or not 💖

        Also one of the reasons I love WP is the feeling of wellness and global humanity, the love for everyone irrespective of location, race and all the artificial boundaries which we have created in the real world – to me this stands out as a picture of the ideal world which we should so strive for…

        Liked by 1 person

  19. A great poem and prayer for peace throughout the nations! Beautifully done.

    Hope you survived the storm that blew over you yesterday! It looked like a big one and is still headed our way!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. We got a lot of rain. Last I heard, that’s what they expect for most of the East coast with a possibility of a few tornados. North of Tampa, there were some power outages. I hope you just get some showers as we did. ❤

      I am glad you enjoyed the hymn. I first found it in our church hymnal when I was in high school and have always loved it.

      Take care, Dwight! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  24. The words of the song have an universal meaning, Cheryl . I wish they were applied worldwide .
    I am coming back of two months break . Sometimes this is needed . I wish you a good break and come back soon.
    Love ❤
    Michel

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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