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Ragged Old Flag

by Johnny Cash

I walked through a county courthouse square,
On a park bench an old man was sitting there.
I said,"Your old courthouse is kinda run down."
He said,"Naw,it'll do for our little little town."
I said,"Your flagpole has leaned a little bit,
And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it."

He said,"Have a seat", and I sat down.
"Is this the first time you've been to our little town?"
I said,"I think it is." He said,"I don't like to brag,
But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag."

"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key
Sat watching it writing_Oh Say Can You See_.
And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams."

"And it almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on through.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag."

"On Flanders Field in World War I
She got a big hole from a Bertha gun.
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp and low by the time it was through.
She was in Korea and Vietnam.
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam."

"She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,
And now they've about quit waving her back here at home.
In her own good land she's been abused--
She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused."

"And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout the land.
And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin,
But she's in good shape for the shape she's in.
'Cause she's been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more."

"So we raise her up every morning,
Take her down every night.
We don't let her touch the ground
And we fold her up right.
On second thought I DO like to brag,
'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag."

Fightin' Side Of Me
Written and sung by Merle Haggard

I hear people talkin' bad,
About the way we have to live here in this country,
Harpin' on the wars we fight,
An' gripin' 'bout the way things oughta be.
An' I don't mind 'em switchin' sides,
An' standin' up for things they believe in.
When they're runnin' down my country, man,
They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,
You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

I read about some squirrely guy,
Who claims, he just don't believe in fightin'.
An' I wonder just how long,
The rest of us can count on bein' free.
They love our milk an' honey,
But they preach about some other way of livin'.
When they're runnin' down my country, hoss,
They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,
You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,
You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Forever Young by Bob Dylan

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

Artist: East West
Album: The Light in Guineveres Garden
Song: Disturbed

Lies birthed kill innocence. Child's smile turn upsidedown.
Silence bears the mark you see, bring an end to what's to come.
You don't see what I can see, twisted pictures haunting me,
Failure trails so close behind, you'll just wait till we meet again.

[chorus]
You, You're the reason. You're the one that's stealing my freedom!

Anger scars another back, Child quiet to mask the pain,
Running from a scary man, bring an end to what's the come.
You don't see what I can see, twisted pictures haunting me,
Failure trails so close behind, you'll just wait till we meet again.

[chorous]
You, You're the reason. You're the one that's stealing my freedom!

Refresh me, renew me, refresh me, renew me.

Artist: East West
Album: The Light in Guineveres Garden
Song: Pretty Pictures

What it is I often wonder,
Turning you away.
Listen to that still small voice,
Fade away.

You see only what you want to,
Close your eyes and sleep.
You hear only what you want to,
Clinging to your lies.

[Chorus]
You and I we see things different now
You and I we see things differently.

Close your mouth your words are stolen,
Heard them all before,
Speaking truths you've long forgotten,
Falling to the floor.

I can see everything now that you're so blinded,
I can see everything now thats it's all clear.

This is an excellent reference thread.
Here's another good one (and one of my favorites), by Aaron Tippin:

Well if you ask me where I come from.
Here's what I tell everyone.
I was born by God's dear grace.
In an extraordinary place.
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly.
It's a big 'ol land with countless dreams.
Happiness ain't out of reach.
Hard work pays off the way it should.
Yeah, I've seen enough to know that we've got it good.
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly.
There's a lady that stands in a harbor.
For what we believe.
And there's a bell that still echoes.
The price that it cost to be free.
I pledge allegiance to this flag.
And if that bothers you, well that's too bad.
But if you got pride and you're proud you do.
Hey, we could use some more like me and you.
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly.
Yes there's a lady that stands in a harbor.
For what we believe.
And there's a bell that still echoes.
The price that it cost to be free.
No, it ain't the only place on earth.
But it's the only place that I prefer.
To love my wife and raise my kids.
Hey, the same way that my daddy did.
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly.
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle... fly.
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly

Billt Ray Cyrus This is an EXCELLENT song

I knew a man called him Sandy Kane
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero was he
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don't understand
About the reasons we are free

I can't forget the look in his eyes
Or the tears he cries
As he said these words to me

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

Now Sandy Kane is no longer here
But his words are oh so clear
As they echo through out our land
For all his friends who gave us all
Who stood the ground and took the fall
To help their fellow man

Love your country and live with pride
And don't forget those who died America can't you see

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall
Some gave all

Some gave all

Oakie From Muskogee by Merle Haggard

We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee;
We don't take our trips on LSD;
We don't burn our draft cards down on Main Street;
We like livin' right, and bein' free.

We don't make a party out of lovin';
We like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo;
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy,
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do.

I'm proud to be an Oakie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightin's still the biggest thril of all.

Leather boots are still in style for mainly footwear;
Beads and roman sandals won't be seen.
Football's still the roughest thing on campus,
And the kids here still respect the college dean.

And I'm proud to be an Oakie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightin's still the biggest thril of all.

We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA.

Jonathan Edwards had a seventies hit "Sunshine" that has a conservative feel to it. I've wanted to tell more than one leftist politician "you can't even run your own life. I'll be damned if you run mine!"

Here are the lyrics:

Sunshine go away today
I don't feel much like dancing
Someone's come, he's trying to run my life
Don't believe what he's asking

He tells me I'd better get in line
Don't believe what he's saying
When I grow up I'm going to make it mine
But these aren't dues I been paying

{Refrain}
How much does it cost, I'll buy it
The time is all we've lost, I'll try it
But he can't even run his own life
I'll be damned if he'll run mine, Sunshine

Sunshine go away today
I don't feel much like dancing
Someone's come he's trying to run my life
Don't believe what he's asking

Working starts to make you wonder where
The fruits of what I do are going
He says in love and war all is fair
But he's got cards he ain't showing

Sunshine come on back another day
Pretty soon I'll be singing
This old world, gonna turn around
Brand new bells will be ringing

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Four Walls of Raiford



Well them four walls of Raiford, closing in on me 
Doin' three to five hard labor, for armed robbery 
I had two years behind, but I could not wait the time 
Everytime I thought about it, well I died some more inside

And I had stripes on my back, memories that hurt 
For the only time I seen sunshine is when I hit the dirt 
Diggin' ditches for the chain gang, sleepin' in the cold 
Oh Lord please forgive me for I could not wait no more

And I comin' home to see you Jesus 
Well it feels so close this time 
Please take mercy on this soldier 
From the Florida-Georgia line

When they find me they must kill me 
Oh Jesus save my soul 
I can't go back down to Raiford 
I can't take that anymore

Well these last few years behind me 
Oh Lord, have been so sad 
I fought proudly for my country when the times were bad 
Now they say I'm guilty, when they find me I must die 
Only me and Jesus know that I never stole a dime

Well when Vietnam was over there was no work here for me 
I had a pretty wife awaitin and two kids I had to feed 
Well I'm one of America's heroes and when they shoot me down 
Won't fly old Glory proudly, put my medals in the ground

And I comin' home to see you Jesus 
Well it feels so close this time 
Please take mercy on this soldier 
From the Florida-Georgia line

When they find me they must kill me 
Oh Jesus save my soul 
I can't go back down to Raiford 
I can't take that anymore

"Taxman" (The Beatles) - George Harrison's ode to tax collectors and the governments they work for.

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.

Don't ask me what I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me.

Probably the best one that very few people know of is 'WE MUST TAKE AMERICA BACK'....don't remember all the lyrics but it starts out: The American dream has become a nightmare....the sign of times are cardboard street corners in town....there's a cancer called crime in our cities...and an unspoken fear we're on our way down...We must take America back, put an end to the gangs and the drugs on the streets and the fact that the bad guys must always go free...that is wrong. The singer is Steve Vaus who's done many well made patriot songs, in fact they're so good most are banned from mainstream radio stations.....he probably makes all the phony politcos and others a little too uncomfortable.

David Allen Coe "If That Ain't Country"

THE OLD MAN WAS COVERED WITH TATTOOS AND SCARS 
HE GOT SOME IN PRISON AND OTHERS IN BARS 
THE REST HE GOT WORKIN' ON OLD JUNK CARS 
IN THE DAYTIME 
THEY LOOKED LIKE TOMBSTONES IN OUR YARD 
AND I NEVER SEEN HIM WHEN HE WASN'T TIRED 
AND MEAN 
HE SOLD USED PARTS TO MAKE ENDS MEET 
COVERED WITH GREASE FROM HIS HEAD TO HIS FEET 
CUSSIN' THE SWEAT AND THE TEXAS HEAT 
AND MOSQUITERS 
AND THE NEIGHBORS SAID WE LIVED LIKE HICKS 
BUT THEY BRUNG THEIR CARS FOR PA TO FIX 
ANYHOW 
HE WAS VETERAN-PROUD, TRIED AND TRUE 
HE'D FOUGHT TILL HIS HEART WAS BLACK AND BLUE 
DIDN'T KNOW HOW HE'D MADE IT THROUGH 
THE HARD TIMES 
HE BOUGHT OUR HOUSE ON THE G.I. BILL 
BUT IT WASN'T WORTH ALL HE HAD TO KILL 
TO GIT IT 
HE DRANK PEARL IN A CAN AND JACK DANIELS BLACK 
CHEWED TOBACCO FROM A MAIL POUCH SACK 
HAD AN OLD DOG THAT WAS TRAINED TO ATTACK 
SOMETIMES 
HE'D GET DRUNK AND MEAN AS A RATTLESNAKE 
AND THERE WASN'T TOO MUCH THAT HE WOULD TAKE 
FROM A STRANGER 

THERE WERE THIRTEEN KIDS AND A BUNCH OF DOGS 
A HOUSE FULL OF CHICKENS AND A YARD FULL OF HOGS 
I SPENT THE SUMMERTIME CUTTIN' UP LOGS FOR THE WINTER 
TRYIN' LIKE THE DEVIL TO FIND THE LORD 
WORKIN' LIKE A NIGGER FOR MY ROOM AND BOARD 
COAL-BURIN' STOVE, NO NATURAL GAS 
IF THAT AIN'T COUNTRY, I'LL KISS YOUR ASS 
IF THAT AIN'T COUNTRY, IT'LL HAIRLIP THE POPE 
IF THAT AIN'T COUNTRY, IT'S A DAMN GOOD JOKE 
I'VE SEEN THE GRAND OLE OPRY, AND I'VE MET JOHNNY CASH 
IF THAT AIN'T COUNTRY, I'LL KISS YOUR ASS 

RECITATION: 
MAMA SELLS EGGS AT A GROCERY STORE 
MY OLDEST SISTER IS A FIRST-RATE WHORE 
DAD SAYS SHE CAN'T COME HOME ANYMORE 
AND HE MEANS IT 
MA JUST SITS AND KEEPS HER SILENCE 
SISTER, SHE LEFT 'CAUSE DAD GOT VIOLENT 
AND HE KNOWS IT 
MAMA SHE'S OLD FAR BEYOND HER TIME 
FROM CHOPPING TOBACCO AND I'VE SEEN HER CRYIN' 
WHEN BLOOD STARTED FLOWIN' FROM HER CALLOUSED HAND 
AND IT HURT ME 
SHE'D JUST KEEP WORKIN' TRYIN' TO HELP THE OLD MAN 
TO THE END OF ONE ROW AND BACK AGAIN 
LIKE ALWAYS 
SHE'S BEEN THROUGH HELL SINCE JUNIOR WENT TO JAIL 
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT SHE AIN'T NEVER FAILED 
TO GET DOWN ON HER KNEES AND PRAY 
BECAUSE SHE LOVES HIM 
TOLD ALL THE NEIGHBORS HE WAS OFF IN THE WAR 
FIGHTIN' FOR FREEDOM, HE'S GOOD TO THE CORE 
AND SHE'S PROUD 
NOW OUR PLACE WAS A GRAVEYARD FOR AUTOMOBILES 
AT THE END OF THE PORCH THERE WAS FOUR STACKS OF WHEELS 
AND TIRES FOR SALE FOR A DOLLAR OR TWO 
CASH 

THERE WAS FIFTY HOLES IN AN OLD TIN ROOF 
ME AND MY FAMILY WE WAS LIVIN' PROOF 
THE PEOPLE WHO FORGOT ABOUT POOR WHITE TRASH 
AND IF THAT AIN'T COUNTRY, I'LL KISS YOUR ASS 
IF THAT AIN'T COUNTRY, IT'LL HAIRLIP THE POPE 
IF THAT AIN'T COUNTRY, IT'S A DAMN GOOD JOKE 
I'VE SEEN THE GRAND OLE OPRY, AND I'VE MET JOHNNY CASH 
IF THAT AIN'T COUNTRY, I'LL KISS YOUR ASS