alternative 4th of july songs..

Subject: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: open mike
Date: 03 Jul 03 - 06:13 AM

"I Want My Country Back"
by Greg Brown
(The Mill 2-27-03)

I want my country back
and a good dream to stand up for
oh, you know these days well
I don't feel at home here anymore
Big big flag above the big big mall
oh, well you know these days oh
I don't feel at home here anymore
Homeland of Sojourner Truth and Chief Joseph before
and the quiet words of wisdom are drowned out by TV
and I don't feel at home here anymore
Blind engineer more on the train
oh and we want to feel at home here once more
I want my country back
and a good dream to stand up for
Got my hand over my heart
oh but I don't feel at home here anymore
I want my country back




also the song Patriot which i have heard done by Jackson Browne
and City Folk.

others??
with a message like: i love my country but i fear it's gov't....

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: open mike
Date: 03 Jul 03 - 05:07 PM

there is a "new" disc out on Sugarhill by Terry Allen.
it is a re-issue called Amerasia with songs in english and Thai
(hmong? mien? lao?)
it has a version of My country tis of thee.
in both languages.



I also think that Iris Dement's song
Wasteland of the Free contains good
descriptions.


WASTELAND OF THE FREE (Iris DeMent)
(c) 1996 Songs of Iris ASCAP

Living in the wasteland of the free...

We got preachers dealing in politics and diamond mines
and their speech is growing increasingly unkind
They say they are Christ's disciples
but they don't look like Jesus to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got politicians running races on corporate cash
Now don't tell me they don't turn around and kiss them peoples' ass
You may call me old-fashioned
but that don't fit my picture of a true democracy
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got CEO's making two hundred times the workers' pay
but they'll fight like hell against raising the minimum wage
and If you don't like it, mister, they'll ship your job
to some third-world country 'cross the sea
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

Living in the wasteland of the free
where the poor have now become the enemy
Let's blame our troubles on the weak ones
Sounds like some kind of Hitler remedy
Living in the wasteland of the free

We got little kids with guns fighting inner city wars
So what do we do, we put these little kids behind prison doors
and we call ourselves the advanced civilization
that sounds like crap to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got high-school kids running 'round in Calvin Klein and Guess
who cannot pass a sixth-grade reading test
but if you ask them, they can tell you
the name of every crotch on mTV
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We kill for oil, then we throw a party when we win
Some guy refuses to fight, and we call that the sin
but he's standing up for what he believes in
and that seems pretty damned American to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

Living in the wasteland of the free
where the poor have now become the enemy
Let's blame our troubles on the weak ones
Sounds like some kind of Hitler remedy
Living in the wasteland of the free

While we sit gloating in our greatness
justice is sinking to the bottom of the sea
Living in the wasteland of the free
Living in the wasteland of the free
Living in the wasteland of the free

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Jul 03 - 05:29 PM

This site Any Day in History gives all kinds of other things that happened that day, and people who got born and died.

For example Garibaldi, Satchmo and Stephen Foster - what a threesome they would have made...

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: open mike
Date: 03 Jul 03 - 09:04 PM

hey, that reminds me i wonder what date is called'
"National leave a zuchinni on your next door neighbor's
back porch after midnight" day?

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: GUEST,Margret RoadKnight
Date: 03 Jul 03 - 09:57 PM

- "Hair"
("..oh say can you see my eyes? if you can then my hair's too short..")
- "My Country 'Tis of Thy People You're Dying"
(Buffy Sainte-Marie)

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: open mike
Date: 03 Jul 03 - 10:00 PM

good ones Margaret!

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 06:26 AM

All 7 or 8 verses of "This land is your land".

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: oldhippie
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 06:47 PM

"This Grand Old Land" - Tom Pacheco

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: M.Ted
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 12:13 AM

As far as I know, this country never belonged to Greg Brown. And Iris Dement is can move to any number of wastelands that not are free at any time. I am not particularly patriotic, but I find it tedious when songwriters pass off cliches as "truth"--

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: Amergin
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 12:15 AM

"Democracy"
Leonard Cohen

It's coming through a hole in the air,
from those nights in Tiananmen Square.
It's coming from the feel
that this ain't exactly real,
or it's real, but it ain't exactly there.
From the wars against disorder,
from the sirens night and day,
from the fires of the homeless,
from the ashes of the gay:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.
It's coming through a crack in the wall;
on a visionary flood of alcohol;
from the staggering account
of the Sermon on the Mount
which I don't pretend to understand at all.
It's coming from the silence
on the dock of the bay,
from the brave, the bold, the battered
heart of Chevrolet:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

It's coming from the sorrow in the street,
the holy places where the races meet;
from the homicidal bitchin'
that goes down in every kitchen
to determine who will serve and who will eat.
From the wells of disappointment
where the women kneel to pray
for the grace of God in the desert here
and the desert far away:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

Sail on, sail on
O mighty Ship of State!
To the Shores of Need
Past the Reefs of Greed
Through the Squalls of Hate
Sail on, sail on, sail on, sail on.

It's coming to America first,
the cradle of the best and of the worst.
It's here they got the range
and the machinery for change
and it's here they got the spiritual thirst.
It's here the family's broken
and it's here the lonely say
that the heart has got to open
in a fundamental way:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

It's coming from the women and the men.
O baby, we'll be making love again.
We'll be going down so deep
the river's going to weep,
and the mountain's going to shout Amen!
It's coming like the tidal flood
beneath the lunar sway,
imperial, mysterious,
in amorous array:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

Sail on, sail on ...

I'm sentimental, if you know what I mean
I love the country but I can't stand the scene.
And I'm neither left or right
I'm just staying home tonight,
getting lost in that hopeless little screen.
But I'm stubborn as those garbage bags
that Time cannot decay,
I'm junk but I'm still holding up
this little wild bouquet:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: frogprince
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 10:39 AM

Anthem '84 Lyrics
Kris Kristofferson

If you're looking for a fighter who'll defend you
And love you for your Freedom. I'm your man.
And I ain't gonna leave you for the crazy things you're doing
But don't ask me to lend a helping hand.

You were such a pretty dream as I remember
You were young and strong and God was on your side.
But vision slowly faded like the wonder from your eyes
And you traded your compassion for your pride.


But I still believe in all that we believed in.
And I pray to God that you will in the end.
And you'll see the golden chances that you're wasting.
And be the loving beauty that you can.

But I still believe in all that we believed in.
And I pray to God that you will in the end.
And you'll see the golden chances that you're wasting.
And be the loving beauty that you can.

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 12:09 PM

I'm certain this was never legal. In the name of Her Majesty Elizabeth Regina, I claim.......

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: Kent Davis
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 10:38 AM

The idea that songs with the message "I love my country, but I fear it's government" would be ALTERNATIVE 4th of July songs is.... interesting.

I can't think of a single TRADITIONAL 4th of July song that is incompatible with that sentiment. Isn't love for country and violent* opposition to its government what the 4th celebrates?

If you want an alternative, I'd suggest "God Save the Queen".

Kent

*Not that there's anything right with that. Personally I think the Tories were in the right. But didn't the Whigs' rebellion turn out splendidly anyway.

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: Kent Davis
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 10:56 AM

If you are looking for a song that isn't just compatible with love for country combined with distrust of its government, if you want a song that is truer to the Spirit Of '76, more rebellious, more anti-government, you might consider "The Bonnie Blue Flag" http://www.37thtexas.org/html/BBluelyr.html

Kent

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 12:54 PM

How about:

Yankee Doodle
THE ENTIRE Star Spangled Banner (not just the first verse)
I'm the man who built the bridges (Paxton)
Outside of a small circle of friends (Ochs)
Show me a prison (Ochs)
Love me, I'm a liberal (Ochs)
Goodman, Schwerner and Chaney (Paxton)
Sully's Pail (Paxton)
My son John (Paxton)
Deportee (Guthrie)
Independence
Cornwallis Burgoyned
The world turned upside-down

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 07:00 PM

Rapaire, I just sang Love Me I'm A Liberal at a folk club in Australia. Would have taken me half an hour to explain all the obscure references, so I didn't even try. But for 4th of July, I think Ochs' Power And The Glory is a better fit.

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 10:49 PM

I believe Sully's pail was written by Dick ?? of Seattle. mg

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: GUEST
Date: 29 May 10 - 09:01 PM

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned John Prine's "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore."

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 May 10 - 09:47 PM

My favorite patriotic song is "Song of Peace," set to the tune of Finlandia. In church, we sing the original, fairly religious version that you'll find in the Digital Tradition. But for non-religious settings, I think I prefer this one.

We had a retired Air Force colonel in the choir, and he always tried to weasel out of singing the second verse. I guess he just couldn't accept the concept that other nations might be as good as the U.S. of A.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: LadyJean
Date: 29 May 10 - 11:26 PM

ALL the verses of "This Land Is Your Land".

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: Larry The Radio Guy
Date: 30 May 10 - 02:28 AM

American Gothic by David Ackles. Or, from the same LP (American Gothic), The Ballad of the Ship of State.

They're both great songs that describe the results of the so-called "freedom" that American's won.

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: oldhippie
Date: 30 May 10 - 08:48 AM

Let me add:
You're Independence Day - Janet Bates
Born On The Fourth of July - Tom Paxton
Fourth of July - Dave Alvin
Independence Day - Ani DiFranco

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: open mike
Date: 30 May 10 - 11:43 AM

as posted earlier....this is Jackson Browne
doing I am a patriot (Little Steven)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saYvWAVmT_s

I am a patriot
(Little Steven)
And the river opens for the righteous [5x]
Someday

I was walking with my brother
And he wondered what's on my mind
I said what I believe in my soul
Ain't what I see with my eyes
And we can't turn our backs this time

I am a patriot
And I love my county
Because my country is all I know
I want to be with my family
The people who understand me
I've got nowhere else to go

And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
Someday

And I was talking with my sister
She looked so fine
I said, "Baby, what's on your mind?"
She said, "I want to run like the lion
Released from the cages
Released from the rages
Burning in my heart tonight"

And I ain't no communist
And I ain't no capitalist
And I ain't no socialist
And I ain't no imperialist
And I ain't no democrat
And I ain't no republican
I only know one party
And it is freedom

I am, I am, I am
I am a patriot
And I love my country
Because my county is all I know

And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
Someday

And the river opens for the righteous...

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: Bert
Date: 30 May 10 - 04:16 PM

God Save the Queen should go down well.


Here's a couple of mine.


I'm Your Flag
Flag with a Thousand Stars

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: Amergin
Date: 30 May 10 - 05:35 PM

The Internationale

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 10:44 PM

Eliott Smith - Independence Day
Shooter Jennings - 4th of July

Alternative 4th of July Songs

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: GUEST,Larry Saidman
Date: 07 Sep 11 - 06:35 PM

The Fourth Day of July by Tom Rapp

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 07 Sep 11 - 09:09 PM

Yes, Larry, I was about to say Tom Rapp's song,too.

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: GUEST,JC
Date: 28 Jul 12 - 06:09 PM

If your neighbor isn't free, then you're not free.
If my neighbor isn't free, then I'm not free.
Without freedom, you can't do anything--except what you're told to do.

Jimmy Copens--I Want My Country Back


Jimmy Copens--I Want My Country Back
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le7IV1ltgNE

Subject: RE: alternative 4th of july songs..
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 28 Jul 12 - 10:25 PM

Okay, so it's not folky, but The House I Live In, a much unknown and under-appreciated song.

TIL the words are by one Abel Meeropol, who also wrote Strange Fruit.