Verse 1

We will raise the flag of freedom over us,

The banner of our hopes and dreams,

Shall gather us as one.

While filled with all His glory and the power of His love,

We will raise the flag of freedom over us.

Verse 2

We will join our hands across our glorious land,

For no peril will defeat us,

While we’re in God’s mighty hand.

In the faith that moved our fathers forever we will stand,

As we join as one across this holy land.

Chorus

America, America

O hear the bells of freedom ring,

America, America,

Living on forever free,

You’re the haven of God’s peace for all the world.

Verse 3

Bound together we will fight for liberty,

Though darkness seeks out freedom,

To bring it to defeat.

You’re our God on whom we trust, as we bow down on our knees,

Bound together we will fight for liberty.

Chorus

America, America

O hear the bells of freedom ring,

America, America,

Living on forever free,

You’re the haven of God’s peace for all the world.

Verse 4

We will crush the mighty serpent with God’s power,

No terror will defeat us,

Even in this desperate hour.

With the prayers of all our nation, now the victory is ours,

We will crush the mighty serpent with God’s power.

Chorus

America, America

O hear the bells of freedom ring,

America, America,

Living on forever free,

Song Story

Where were you when the World Trade Center was destroyed?

It was on the morning of Tuesday September 11, 2001 that Vanessa and I woke up as usual to the news playing on the radio. The announcer declared that a "Cesna" had plowed into the World Trade Center in New York. Not thinking anything was going on that was significant I lugged myself into the bathroom for my daily shower.

It was while I was making lunches for the family that Vanessa ran out excitingly telling me to turn on the TV because the second tower had been attacked by an airplane. Soon I was looking in horror as that mighty fortress toppled down into rubble. What had happened to all the people?

When I got to work the TV was already turned on. As I walked in the door I saw the second tower tumbling down, and experience that filled my heart with terror and anger.

What a hopeless feeling it is to see events such as these going on! What, as one of millions of citizens in the United States, can I do to add something to encourage America?

I wasn’t thinking about anything in particular when the following Wednesday morning I was woken up at 3:30 AM with a song going through my head. The words to the stanzas encompassed in a simple melody were so overwhelming that I immediately got up, grabbed my guitar, a piece of paper and a pencil, and frantically began to scribble out the words.

Finally, exhausted with the effort I laid back to bed. However, tossing and turning left me without sleep.

As we got up at 6:00 AM only hard-won patience allowed me to wait until Vanessa came alive to the world in order that I could share the song with her. As with most moms and dads, we have innumerable things going through our head as we do all we can do to get ready for work while staying after our kids so that they are not late for school.

Generally, I cannot get Vanessa to stop for even a second during this busy part of our day. However, I sincerely believed this was very important, so I quietly asked if I could have just a few minutes of her time. She consented and I ran for my guitar and the lyrics.

I could hardly choke out the lyrics as the tears ran down my face. When I looked up to Vanessa’s tears I knew that this was something very special.

We live in Bakersfield and, therefore, are home to Buck Owens. His piano player and music producer had done a project with us years ago and we have remained friends. Hoping that it might lead to something, I contacted him about producing the piece. As it turned out, he informed me that the possibility of getting it to anyone in the industry, including Buck, was completely nil. Apparently the worst time to put out a tune that accompanies a disaster is during the disaster as everyone has the idea to write a song about it.