GREATNESS IN AMERICANS
I had recently watched the movie “1776” a musical rendering of the hard work and compromise that preceded signing of our Declaration of Independence.” Reading the latest grim news about the debt ceiling stalemate, I started thinking about Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln and some other of our inspirational leaders who overcame tremendous obstacles. How would they respond to today’s crisis? Ruminating on them, the melody of Pete Seeger’s “Where have all the Flowers Gone” came to mind. I’ve changed the lyric a bit and share it below:
WHERE HAVE ALL THE WISE MEN GONE?
(To melody of “Where have All the Flowers Gone” by Pete Seeger)
Where have all the wise men gone? / Long time passing
Where have all the wise men gone? / I’d like to know
Where have James and Thomas gone? / Into books read by no one
We need them to return / We need them to return
Where have all the leaders gone?/ Long time passing
Where have our great leaders gone? /I’d like to know
Abraham could lead us yon / Restore a once great spirit gone
We need them to return / We need them to return
Where have all our problems gone? / None are passing
Where have just solutions gone? / They never show
Where have honest people gone? / Not to Washington, not one
We need them to return / We need them to return
Where has this great country gone? / Some say passing
Where has this one nation gone? / Long time ago
Stood up men who sought to be / Men of high integrity
We need them to return / We need them to return
Copyright 2011 by Robert S. Steinberg
All rights reserved
