Lyr Req: Just Americans (New Christy Minstrels)

Subject: Lyr Req: Just Americans- new Chrsitie Minstrels
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 04:01 PM

My sister has asked for these lyrics and danged if I couldn't find a darned thing. She says they've done it on the PBS "This Land Is Your Land."

Thanks for any help!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just Americans- new Chrsitie Minstrels
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 04:16 PM

Is that the name of the song--"Just Americans" ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just Americans- new Chrsitie Minstrel
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 06:23 PM

I believe so...I've not seen the show.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just Americans- new Chrsitie Minstrels
From: Barry T
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 10:33 PM

Here they are! (Written by Randy Sparks)

http://www.thenewchristyminstrels.com/Songs/Just-Americans.htm

---

(lyrics posted by Joe Offer from an archive of the link above)

Just Americans On the tenth of September We were black and we were white We were brown And we were yellow               We were left and we were right We were folks from the country We were city dwellers too And we often took for granted We were red, white and blue We were rich and we were poor We were up and we were down We were those who didn't matter On the other side of town In a moment of forever It was not so long ago We were recreated equal And in my heart I know: (Chorus) On September the eleventh We became Just Americans Other names were rendered obsolete All I know about my neighbors Is that they are Just Americans Shoulder to shoulder, now, the circle is complete We have learned how it feels to be Just Americans Without the words that spell out 'us' and 'them' And there's more to this feeling for our fellow Americans Than hate for those we condemn We wear yarmulkes and turbans And, occasionally, a crown We wear straw hats and ball caps And when the team's in town We show signs of disrespect For those who've lost or won But we know it's just a game That the war is all in fun We speak Russian and Tagalog We speak French and Japanese And our gift to one another Is to worship as we please We quite often get together To protest or to rejoice And when we speak in anger It is with a single voice (Chorus) On September the eleventh We became Just Americans Other names were rendered obsolete All I know about my neighbors is that the are Just Americans Shoulder to shoulder, now, the circle is complete And we'll fight, side by side, in the trenches of the universe The cause of precious freedom to defend And let it be remembered that We are Just Americans May this day never end And I pray this day shall never end Copyright R. Sparks/Cherrybell Music 2002

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just Americans- new Chrsitie Minstrel
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 01:05 AM

Thanks so much, Barry!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just Americans- new Chrsitie Minstrels
From: bet
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 01:11 PM

Ah! Barry, Thanks so much, now if I can remember the melody or maybe just make a new one up, (that's what makes folk music isn't it?)
Seriously, do you know where the melody might be published or a CD it might be on? Thanks again? bet

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just Americans- new Christie Minstrels
From: Barry T
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 08:25 PM

Well, Bet, you won't find a better site for the answer than the one I provided. It's Randy Sparks' own site!

Maybe the answer is already in his discussion forum there; if not just pose the question and get the answer directly from the composer!

I thought that the song might have been on the CD from the PBS Reunion show not long ago, but apparently that track is not included. 'Too bad; it's a good song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just Americans- new Christie Minstrel
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 03:46 AM

You mihgt have to post a query there, bet. Thanks to Barry, I went backa nd took a look around, did a search in the forum and didn't come up with anything. That Randy ahs a great way of writing, though, fun to read his comments on copyrights and "bits and pieces."

Thanks, again, Barry.

kat

Subject: Lyr Add: JUST AMERICANS (f/New Christy Minstrels)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Dec 04 - 09:06 AM

Copied from http://www.thenewchristyminstrels.com/Songs/Just-Americans.htm

JUST AMERICANS
(Randy Sparks/Dave Steffy)

On the tenth of September, we were black and we were white.
We were brown and we were yellow. We were left and we were right.
We were folks from the country. We were city dwellers, too.
And we often took for granted we were red, white, and blue.

We were rich and we were poor. We were up and we were down.
We were those who didn't matter on the other side of town.
In a moment of forever—it was not so long ago—
We were recreated equal, and in my heart I know:

CHORUS:
On September the eleventh, we became just Americans.
Other names were rendered obsolete.
All I know about my neighbors is that they are just Americans.
Shoulder to shoulder, now, the circle is complete.
We have learned how it feels to be just Americans
Without the words that spell out 'us' and 'them;'
And there's more to this feeling for our fellow Americans
Than hate for those we condemn.

We wear yarmulkes and turbans and, occasionally, a crown.
We wear straw hats and ball caps and, when the team's in town,
We show signs of disrespect for those who've lost or won,
But we know it's just a game, that the war is all in fun.

We speak Russian and Tagalog. We speak French and Japanese;
And our gift to one another is to worship as we please.
We quite often get together to protest or to rejoice,
And when we speak in anger, it is with a single voice.

CHORUS:
On September the eleventh, we became just Americans.
Other names were rendered obsolete.
All I know about my neighbors is that the are just Americans.
Shoulder to shoulder, now, the circle is complete.
And we'll fight, side by side, in the trenches of the universe,
The cause of precious freedom to defend;
And let it be remembered that we are just Americans.
May this day never end.
And I pray this day shall never end.


(Copyright R. Sparks/Cherrybell Music 2002.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just Americans (New Christy Minstrels)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 11:20 AM

can any one tell me where i can download this song as i have tried every where i can also buy it PLEASE HELP

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just Americans (New Christy Minstrels)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 11:28 AM

Write directly to Randy at

[e-mail]

He will give you directions I'm sure

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just Americans (New Christy Minstrels)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 11:17 PM

It's a fairly nice September 11 song. It's on a DVD called This Land Is Your Land: The Folk Years. This Page says that the song is NOT available on the CD with the same name....but it is on the CD I have titled: This Land Is Your Land: The Folk Years, Vol. 1. My CD was part of a 2-disc set that was part of a box set. So, be careful what you buy, if what you're looking for is this song.

It's on a 2007 album titled Recycled that's no longer available. I found a link for downloading the album, but I don't know the reliability of the link. I'll post the URL here but not make a link of it:

http://cdtrrracks.com/The%20New%20Christy%20Minstrels/The%20New%20Christy%20Minstrels%20RECYCLED/

-Joe-