Here’s a YouTube link to a “250 Years” video created from my poem, set to music.

Blessings,

John

250 Years

Thank God for the blessings poured out on our land,

For all those before us who dared take a stand

For the right and the freedom to worship our God.

We follow the pathways our forefathers trod.

The stories of old that we still long to hear,

The heroes of yesteryear we still revere,

The lives that were given so freedom could ring,

Passed down through the ages, their songs we still sing.

For two centuries, fifty we now have endured,

If we all pull together, our future’s assured.

I pray we speak wisdom with words that we share,

Words of encouragement, truthful, and fair.

The stars and the stripes waving red, white, and blue,

Our symbol of freedom still trusted and true,

May our faith and our freedom stay strong and remain,

As we honor our anthem and sing each refrain.

May elected officials from all walks of life,

Who’ve endured and persisted through hardship and strife,

Honor the oath of the office they hold,

Representing the people untarnished by gold.

This nation, the cities, the towns large and small,

Engineers and the farmers we value them all.

From the shores of the ocean, gulf, rivers and streams,

The mountains, the heartland and all in between,

Each person, perspective still each has a voice

Casting a vote having freedom of choice.

Although we are different, we share the same goal,

The values, the freedoms that never grow old.

May we the people throughout this great land

Celebrate freedom, together we stand,

Freedom to worship, give thanks to our God

For this nation, this land where our forefathers trod.

Let us pray we continue to thrive and be blessed,

Stay strong as a nation, survive every test.