AMERICA

America, America
God shed His grace on Thee
If you would heed the word you’ve heard
You could indeed be free

But you’re throwing out your morals
And you’re resting on your laurels
On endless streams of broken dreams
From sea to shining sea

Your leaders cannot lead you
And they scurry from the light
Integrity is just a word
And truth just a sound bite

For years you were a beacon
A shining city on a hill
And though you’ve stumbled badly
The world’s eyes watch you still

You were built on high ideals
On sweat and sacrifice
But somehow greed and backroom deals
Have turned your heart to ice

You’re mortgaging your future
For a life you can’t sustain
You’re cashing in your chips of hope
And putting off the pain

There’s a great storm brewing
A hard rain will surely fall
It’s time to change the things you’re doing
Or you’ll surely lose it all

America, America
God shed His grace on Thee
Time to take a stand and rebuild this land
As the home of the brave and the free

(Begun in the bicentennial year of 1976)
©2011 MikeWordSmith

Two Steps Forward

Two steps forward and one step back
I’m pressing toward the goal, but I keep stepping off the track
I’m sometimes overwhelmed by the progress that I lack
Taking two steps forward and one step back

They say that life’s a journey and you should enjoy the ride
But I see a lot of burned out cars along the long roadside
Some passengers are damaged and some have even died
But even they are better off than the ones who never tried

Two steps forward and one step back
I’m pressing toward the goal, but I keep stepping off the track
I’m sometimes overwhelmed by the progress that I lack
Taking two steps forward and one step back

I don’t think I’m even close to the man I thought I’d be
And I’m hard-pressed to even guess my own identity
Is the person I’m becoming the one I want to call “Me”
Can’t see the end from the beginning of God’s eternity

Two steps forward and one step back
I’m pressing toward the goal, but I keep stepping off the track
I’m sometimes overwhelmed by the progress that I lack
Taking two steps forward and one step back

I think I’m moving in the direction of the rising Son
But the battles that I’ve lost outnumber the battles that I’ve won
Despite the miles upon this road, I feel I’ve just begun
I’ve miles to go before I sleep—before my journey’s done

Two steps forward and one step back
I’m pressing toward the goal, but I keep stepping off the track
I’m sometimes overwhelmed by the progress that I lack
Taking two steps forward and one step back

Sometimes the choices that I make seem absolutely clear
Sometimes the choice is clouded by selfishness or fear
And the promise of the future is outweighed by now and here
And the laughter that is coming is purchased with my tears

Two steps forward and one step back
I’m pressing toward the goal, but I keep stepping off the track
I’m sometimes overwhelmed by the progress that I lack
Taking two steps forward and one step back

There’s a Book that says I’m not the person that I will become
And my actions will speak loudly though my lips may be dumb
This world can’t hold a candle to the one that’s yet to come
When I try to comprehend it, it makes my mind numb

Two steps forward and one step back
I’m pressing toward the goal, but I keep stepping off the track
I’m sometimes overwhelmed by the progress that I lack
Taking two steps forward and one step back
©2011 MikeWordSmith.com