There is a Land called America

Big Al Whittle

There is a Land called America

'There is a Land called America
I was watching Fox or CNN – one of the American channels around the time of the Bush/Kerry face off. There was a lot of footage and interviews about the troops in Iraq. I saw they were youthful , idealistic, self sacrificing and very fine young people. About the same time I went to Acoustic Avalon – every single guitar act slagged off Bush for the war. Several of the acts were American.
I went home and wrote this song. A short while after The Pentagon got to hear the song and put it on their website – americasupportsyou. Before long I was getting wonderful letters from young men and women in the services who had downloaded it – some in doubt about their situation, but all grateful because someone was recognising the merit of their intentions.'

Those are the words I used in album notes about this song for my album 'St Peter and John Dillinger' nearly five years ago.

The song was at such variance with the generally peacenik aspirations of the folk and acoustic community, that it attracted much unfair criticism and a degree of incomprehension. However as the full measure of the commitment demanded of the troops ranged against the Taliban and Al Quaeda has become apparent, I think the song has in some way redeemed its claim to a fair listen.

Just last night I heard the President's address to the officer students of West Point. His appeal for the unity of the nation in wartime brought to my mind this ong, and I'd like to bring it to the attention of anyone that will listen.

December 2nd 2009

There is a land called America

I had travelled much that day, and still had miles to go

So I was weary and I sat me down in a place I did not know

The young man on my right was sayin', I better be moving along

The world sure needs my help today , to stop it turning wrong

I could see he was a soldier of the great United States

And I bade him stay, but he said , No sir! for I must achieve

Some things that will not wait

Oh there is a land called America

Where Freedoms bell rings clear

And no good man needs to walk that land, with the downcast heart of fear

And since in that land of America, the hope of freedom first appeared

The joyous peal of the liberty bell

Is a sound all folks hold dear.

Yes there is a land called America

Though I can't be there today

It's there my friends and family live

With humble hearts and decent ways

And while I live and while I breathe

And hold a rifle, this much is clear

Those who would hurt my people

They will live their lives in fear of me

And I wished that young man well and safe

For I knew he had to go

To face difficulty and danger

On a faroff foreign shore

But I felt such admiration for a heart so young and bold