Listen to the bells of freedom
Listen to those bells ring
But take a minute to remember
The bells of another ring

Bells tolled for the brokenhearted
Soldiers dying in lands far away
In the jungles, desert, on beaches
Cryin' soldiers in a land yet today

As you watch those rockets red glare
Hear the Star-Spangled Banner play
Remember the sacrifices made
In a land so far away

It was the soldier who gave us
The right to our liberty
But it was God who gave us
Life, love and liberty

So listen to the bells of freedom
Thank a Veteran this Independence Day
Pray for those still in battle
Freedom's cost...sacrifices brave soldiers made

Listen to the bells of freedom
Listen to those bells ring
But take a minute to remember
Why our bells of freedom ring.

By: Jene' Lind
July 2, 2003
Copyright © 2003

Exclusively for Deloris Patrick's web page
a.k.a. granidee

We gather ‘round to celebrate
On Independence Day
Pay homage to our country
As the children run and play.

With barbeques and picnics
And fireworks in the air
The flag we own is proudly flown
To show how much we care.

The stars and stripes spell freedom
She waves upon the breeze
While bursts of colors can be seen
Above the towering trees.

This is all quite wonderful
We revel in delight
But God above in divine love
Has brought this day to light.

With just a stroke of liberty
A touch of His great hand
He gave democracy to us
And helped this country stand.

The stripes upon our stately flag
Were touched by His sweet grace
Each star of white that shines so bright
Reflects His loving face.

So as you turn to face the flag
For battles that were fought
Be filled with pride for those who died
And freedoms that were bought.

But don’t forget to thank the One
That gives the bright display
The reason why we paint the sky
On Independence Day

T'was on the 4th of a summer month,
So many years ago,
When forefathers, sons and daughters, too,
Gave lives so our country could grow.

They fought for the rights and freedom we have;
They fought for their families too.
They fought against Tyrants and
unrighteous law,
And did this for me and for you.

These patriots fought for the freedom to pray,
And to worship the God of their choice.
Then against bitter odds, but with divine help,
They fought, to be Governments's voice.

So now we here stand, in this favored land,
With freedom and liberty too.
To guard and protect and cherish these rights,
Is something that we should all do.

Now join me this day on the 4th of July,
As we raise our voices to say;
God bless this land and this Government too.
God bless, the U. S. of A.!

In God we trust the words rang true, from sea to shining sea.
Lifting praise to him in love, they knelt on bended knee.

Each day anew, it all began with prayer for guiding light.
For wisdom, and his hand on them decisions made upright.

For leadership, led by one, much wiser than mankind.
His guidance truly won the battles waged from hidden mines.

But as the years so quickly passed, their love began to wane,
With subtlety desire soon left to seek God's holy name.

The peace once known by a nation fair was facing sudden change.
It now saw certain chaos, as destruction took her aim.

The warning rang in every home once blessed by safe abode,
Fear soon reared its ugly head, which way were we to go?

But as repentance of a nation fell upon its face,
The blinders lifted from our eyes, again we knew God's grace.

America, must not forget a nation will stand tall,
If God is first in all we do, if not, we'll surely fall.

If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again
with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars
to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota
to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas
from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston
and New York to L.A.,
There's pride in every American heart
and it's time we stand and say:

That I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

And I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

Thank you, Harmony Group, for the July 2003 Poetry Award!

Webpage by granidee

If God brings you to it ----
- he will bring you through it