July 4, 2014

O Beautiful: A Concert for the 4th of July, 2010

First set a spell with Baxter Black while he tells you why he's Lucky To Be American!

And now...

All rise as Ayla Brown, daughter of Senator Scott Brown, sings the National Anthem with the Boston Pops.

Now sit back down and grab a beverage of choice for some vintage Elvis, the only king ever to rule in America.

Thank you. Our program this year asks, "What time was it in 1776? What time is it now? It's Too Late to Apologize!....

Shenandoah, the most beautiful American landscape hymn sung by the American Tenors.

The first test of the fire inside was the Civil War.

A war in which there was the North and there was DIXIE.

And after years of struggle and sacrifice came the Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.

With the end of the war it was time, once again, to Rally Round the Flag, a song that should have been the national anthem if you wanted an anthem that everyone could sing.

And the land realized itself westward until it became America The Beautiful

The turn of the century came and the millions came with it.

And when they came they found they had a flag, "A Grand Old Flag"

And if sometimes that flag seemed to be a Ragged Old Flag, well... that was all right too.

In Vietnam there was a Marine, and the Marine's name was Camoflage

And after Vietnam it became the age of the volunteer Citizen Soldier.

And then there was a peace of sorts, a time for a brief nap, until the alarm rang again on 9/11.

And the citizen soldier returned as a Warrior.

Today take a moment to honor and hail all who have fought and died for this last, best hope of earth. Hail the heroes who have given us all we have; the heroes who come not to conquer but to set men free and keep men free.

And now its time for some fireworks!



And finally time to remember men like this man, who, standing for all that have come before him, will sing the last note of this concert:

God bless you all and may God bless and keep the United States of America

Posted by Vanderleun at July 4, 2014 10:59 PM
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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

Gerard, I needed that. Thank you.

In fact, while I'm at it, thanks for all the links you keep posting. Happy Fourth!

Posted by: Cameron at July 4, 2010 5:19 AM

Darling Gerard---Nobody does it better that you. Baby you're the best.

Posted by: Deborah at July 4, 2010 7:01 AM

It's official.. I'm codependent on American Digest! Happy Independence Day! Next year, post Scott Brown's daughter singing the Nat'l Anthem at the Boston Pops.. best version I've heard and she's stunningly pretty!

Posted by: Red Carolina at July 4, 2010 7:50 AM

It's official.. I'm codependent on American Digest! Happy Independence Day! Next year, post Scott Brown's daughter singing the Nat'l Anthem at the Boston Pops.. best version I've heard and she's stunningly pretty!

Posted by: Red Carolina at July 4, 2010 7:50 AM

Thanks Gerard, that was great!

Posted by: Patvann at July 4, 2010 8:49 AM

This old soldier especially liked the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" medley. I'm not much for movies, but I've actually seen every one from which the clips were taken. It's not often I can say that. Thanks, and have a great 4th.

Posted by: waltj at July 4, 2010 9:20 AM

Happy 4th of July to you Gerard. Thank you. May God Bless America!

Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) at July 4, 2010 1:14 PM

Oh and Ayla Brown is terrific, isn't she? But, gotta say, getting both Elvis and Neil Diamond in one post is the icing on the cake. You're the bestest, Gerard.

Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) at July 4, 2010 1:25 PM

Thanks, Gerard.

Posted by: Cris at July 4, 2010 6:27 PM

Excellent collection, Gerard.

I played "Too Late to Apologize" for a friend tonight. He said he had heard that song many times, and thought it was just an ordinary love song. We did a little looking, and found that that was indeed the case. The Declaration lyrics are not the original version of the song, which was news to me.

So he had never heard the Declaration version, and I had never heard any other.

Posted by: rickl at July 4, 2010 11:41 PM

Regular (as in, daily) and devoted reader. Rare (as in hardly ever) poster. But I really need to post more often to let you know how much I appreciate what you do. Yet another one you've hit out of the park.

God Bless, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Jim

Posted by: southernjames at July 5, 2010 3:08 PM

Thank you very, very much Jim.

I deeply appreciate your saying so.

Posted by: vanderleun at July 5, 2010 9:48 PM