Lenore's 4th July 2005 poem

 

Tonight’s theme is ‘Being American.
You’re gonna learn some history and have a good run.
So y’all listen up,
And don’t interrupt.
Cause you’re not gettin’ home
Till you’ve heard this poem.

It began when the Spanish flag was unfurled
On the huge continents they called the New World.
Then Englishmen, French, Spanish, German and Dutch
Risked their lives to get what they wanted so much—
Freedom of religion, or some land they could own,
Where they could farm in peace and build their own home.
Life was so hard, at first most of them died,
But they persevered and the colonies survived.

Then they got problems with the British king
They talked of liberty and sang, “Let Freedom Ring!”
Those hard working colonists had had enough
The time had come for them to get tough.
They couldn’t put up with wicked tyranny,
They were willing to fight so they could be free.

You all know the story about the tea
That was taken off ships and thrown in the sea.
But there was lots more to it than just the tea tax.
You can read all about it and learn the facts.
An eloquent, important document
Lists the reasons for the colonists’ discontent.
That document officially started the war.
Many suffered and died. I won’t say much more.
Home-made weapons were all some had to use,
Crossing through ice with rags for shoes.
In this war, the worthy underdogs won.
Their troops were led by George Washington.

But after a while the two countries were friends,
And fortunately that’s how this story ends.

“God bless America, and England!” we shout.
On On to the hash. Y’all go check it out!