An Illustrated Song: Russ Lee's "Live What I Believe" with George W. Bush (VANITY)

me

[lawgirl]

Welcome to (as far as I know) Free Republic’s first “Illustrated Song”. Some songs just naturally bring certain images to your mind, and as I listened to this song, the following images came to the forefront of my mind and reminded me that you can see President Bush’s words and beliefs coming to life in his face. Hopefully you will agree with me that the photos illustrate the song well.

This song was recorded by Christian artist Russ Lee, and this version came out right after President Bush’s inauguration. Russ Lee took W’s words and interspersed them into his own song. When I first heard this song, I was moved to tears. This song is about taking a stand as a Christian, which our President has done. This song kicks off with President Bush’s reply at the Iowa Republican primary when asked to name the philosopher that had the greatest influence on his life: “Christ, because he changed my heart”, and uses words from, mostly, President Bush’s first major speech as President-Elect from the Texas House of Representatives in December 2000. He was talking about unity and his vision for our country, and I think a lot of it is still very relevant in our post 9/11/01 world.

I put this together as a tribute to our President. It’s no mystery around here how I feel about President Bush. What a blessing he has been to this country, and to me. His leadership, devotion to faith, and his willingness to allow us to glimpse his heart and see Christ shining through are an inspiration to me. He has reminded me that, no matter who you are, Christians have no excuse for hiding their faith. He has taken heat for his faith, and has remained faithful. I pray God blesses his example.

Below, President Bush’s words are in blue, and the song lyrics are italicized. The song is copywrited by Sparrow Records and was written by Russ Lee and Doug McKelvey. It can be found on Russ Lee’s album “Words in Time” and the original is a little bit different than this version. I encourage all of you that have this song, to pull it out and listen to it as you look at the pictures and read the thread—that makes it best experience IMO.

I hope you all enjoy this illustrated song. May God bless our wonderful President George W. Bush and may God Bless America!

"Live What I Believe" – Russ Lee with President George W. Bush
by Russ Lee and Doug McKelvey

Voiceover: When George W Bush was asked to name the philosopher that had the greatest influence on his life, this was his answer:

Christ, because he changed my heart

These are the days
For the children of faith
To stand up and be counted

I believe things happen for a reason

Now is the time
For the light in us to shine
On whoever's around it

I ask for you to pray for this great nation

One life can be the proof
Of the hope that is You

I'm gonna live what I believe
I'm gonna walk that line
If it costs me everything
I'm gonna stand for what is right

I will swear to not only uphold the laws of our land, I will swear to uphold the honor and dignity of the office to which I have been elected, so help me God

The world will see God's grace
When we work and we pray
And then love like we mean it

Now it is time to find common ground
And to build consensus
To make America a beacon of opportunity in the 21st century

Well, I think we're in it
One life can be the proof
Of the hope that is You

I'm gonna live what I believe
I'm gonna walk that line
If it costs me everything
I'm gonna stand for what is right

So that everyone can see
It's Jesus that they need
I'm gonna live what I believe

I know America wants reconciliation and unity

There's a passion deep inside
(I’m gonna live what I believe)

I know Americans want progress

For my life to testify

And we must seize this moment and deliver

Lord, let me be used
As a witness for You
With faith and conviction

Together guided by a spirit of common sense, common courtesy, and common goals
We can unite and inspire the American citizens

(Live a life)
Gonna walk that line
(Live what I believe)
(Live a life)
I'm gonna stand for what is right
(Live what I believe)

I ask for your prayers for leaders from both parties
Hey, it's Jesus that they need

I'm gonna live what I believe
I'm gonna walk that line
If it costs me everything
I'm gonna stand for what is right

So that everyone can see
It's Jesus that they need

I'm gonna live what I believe

I thank you for your prayers for me and my family

I ask for you to pray for this great nation

And if it costs me everything
(Live what I believe)

I will swear to uphold the honor and dignity of the office to which I have been elected, so help me God

I’m gonna live what I believe
(Live a life)
(I’m gonna live what I believe)
(Live a life)

Christ.

I want everyone to see

(Live what I believe)

Because he changed my heart
(So everyone can see)
I’m gonna live what I believe

It is more than an office
It is a charge to keep
And I will give it my all

[SuziQ]

That's just awesome, lawgirl!! I do love that last picture! It looks like he's saying to his detractors, "I'm here, deal with it!"

[JulieRNR21]

This is fabulous! It is a 'labor of love' and obviously took a lot of time.

Thanks for creating this beautiful thread!

[ohioWfan]

Oh, lawgirl!!! mr Ohio and I just got home, and we read through your tribute together! It's wonderful!!!!!

We listen to this song OVER and OVER again, because it is SO inspirational! When I listened to it again for the first time after 9/11 I sobbed! Especially with the words "...if it costs me everything....." because W is serving his God and his nation at the risk of losing everything!

THANK YOU for this!!!

[lawgirl]

OH I was waiting and waiting and waiting for you to get home to see this!!!!!!! This was the project I needed your photos for. Thank you so much!! and I am SO glad you and Mr. OWF liked it!!! :-D

[lawgirl]

I am SO glad you guys liked it!! I was wondering what my fellow dosers would think about it! ANd thanks for taking the time to post back that you liked it!

[Boomer Geezer]

lawgirl! This is excellent. Thank you very much for your talent and devotion for putting this together!

One question, to you and ALL; does anyone have that picture of W at the Olympics ... when he went and stood with our Olympians. The one with the cell phone would be nice too :)

(Had these on the HD before it took a hit. Guess I shouldn't be so lazy and back up my FRGraphics directory by burning a couple of CDs! LOL)

Thanks again, lawgirl!

[lawgirl]

I am so glad you liked it!!

[Otta B Sleepin]

Fantastic thread, lawgirl! I've got to get this song! Is the song on the CD the remix with the President's words included? I want to make sure I get the version with his voice.

Thanks so much!

[lawgirl]

OttaB--I am unsure about the CD. But if you go to

http://www.russlee.com/html/enter.html

then click on the top left hand corner "Listen To The Remix Of "Live What I Believe" With George W. Bush" you will hear the W version. That will pop up a Real Player, and you can go on the main RealPlayer page to VIEW-->the FAVORITES--> then ADD TO FAVORITES it will bookmark the song and you can play it anytime that way!!!

This song is FANTASTIC! You have got to hear it!!

[Mudboy Slim]

I reckon yer right...we'll haveta hook up with Mr. Cantor fer some other FReeper Event...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

"A Soldier's Christmas"

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
my daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep
in perfect contentment, or so it would seem.
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eye when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
and I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,
to the window that danced with a warm fire's light
then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night"

"Its my duty to stand at the front of the line,
that separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red white and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home,
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat,
I can carry the weight of killing another
or lay down my life with my sisters and brothers
who stand at the front against any and all,
to insure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone.
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
to know you remember we fought and we bled
is payment enough, and with that we will trust.
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

Michael Marks
December 7th, 2000
marksman@patriot.net"

FReegards...MUD

[condi2008]

Thanks for the music! I'd never heard of Russ Lee (but then, I'm "Contemporary Christian Music challenged"!) I prefer majestic hymns but this is great. Any other CD recommendations for a family with lots of upcoming young people?

[TruthNtegrity]

>>>>> Such a great tribute to a President who has never once disappointed me. Sure I might not always agree with President Bush, but at least I can rest assured that all of the decisions he makes, he makes with consideration of the American people and what's in our best interest. Because he lives by God, I know that he has great guidance. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush are such a breath of fresh air. It is such a relief to have a couple in the White House who have strong morals and values, and who actually respect their morals and values. I do believe that things happen for a reason. Maybe the election debacle was to show the American people that the presidency isn't the most important thing in President Bush's life. I believe that he was elected in order to pull us out of our darkest hour. I believe he was elected in order to restore America's faith in her leaders, and to show people that you can be an honest man who praises God, loves his wife dearly, respects everyone around him, and can look damn good all at the same time! Many people questioned George W. Bush, and his abilities to run our Country. Now people are in awe of him. What a magnificent job he has done.


I forget whose post that was, but when I saw it, I knew that it said everything I wanted to say. If I remembered any of my meager hmtl stuff, I would have put it in Italics, but oh well.

Lawgirl, thanks for this awesome tribute to our beloved President. I agree with the others who have said that you should print it out plus put it on a CD and send it to the First Lady. Great job!

mtnchickeeeeee, thanks for sending me the link to this fantastic thread.

AF_Blue - recognize the picture of the President with the troops, from his Feb. 4th visit to Eglin AFB? This is the thread where you so wonderfully recounted your view of the visit for us. I will be forever grateful that you posted all of that for us. BZ!

One last time, thank you, Lawgirl, for your hard work in doing this for us. It is so special.

[baseballmom]

Oh Lawgirl, this is just beautiful. A tribute from the heart, I know. You know how we've discussed our W inspiring us to be better people. You surely were inspired to do this!!!

I so agree with the poster who said that The Pitch was a great moment. For him to walk onto that field, alone, unprotected, and unafraid, said more about him and our country than mere words ever could. We will stand tall, we will be unafraid, and we will stand alone, if necessary, to do what has to be done.

I said on the Dose the other day, that I have never cared so much about a President as I do about our W. I trust him completely to do what has to be done for the safety and best interests of our beloved country. May God continue to bless him, and his family, as he leads our great nation.

[swheats]

My boys are into Newsboys, Chris Rice, Commissioned, and Out of Eden. If they're into rap(oh the horror, this might take some serious acquiring for you) Gospel Gangstaz. DCTalk and Bryan Duncan is pretty good.

I listen to SOSNETWORK.ORG during the day. There's a large variety of music.

http://www.sosradio.net/onthedial.htm maybe you're in their area.

[Calpublican]

Thank you, lawgirl.

It took awhile to download as I have a phone line, (No cable or DSL available here in the sticks)but something for which it was well worth waiting. Will forward to my email list.

Thanks, again!

[Texas Mom]

This is great.. I have sent it out to most everyone I know...

[lawgirl]

Condi--I recommend anything you can get your hands on of PFR. Specifically "Disappear". An amazing album.

Truth, baseballmom, Calpub, Texasmom-thanks so much I am so glad you liked it!! This song is a real blessing, and so is our president.

[lawgirl]

Howdy! Here's your ping. A bit late, but here it is!! thanks!

[LurkerNoMore!]

*ping* for the start of President Bush's 3rd year in office.