Happy Flag Day

I remember finding Flag Day a bit confusing when I was a child, since it was so close to the 4th of July. It seemed to be a bigger deal back then. or maybe it was just because my family loved to throw a BBQ at the drop of the hat.  Living overseas brings new meaning to the holiday since it stirs up memories of home and you feel more inspired to remember and explain all American holidays.

Here is my favorite patriotic song in celebration of Flag Day:

This Land Is Your Land

The lyrics were written by Woody Guthrie in 1940 based on an existing melody in response to Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America”, which Guthrie considered unrealistic and complacent. Tired of hearing Kate Smith sing it on the radio, he wrote a response originally called “God Blessed America for Me”. 

(Chorus)  This land is your land, this land is my land,

From California to the New York Island,

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters,

This land was made for you and me. 

As I went walking that ribbon of highway,

I saw above me that endless skyway.

I saw below me that golden valley.

This land was made for you and me.  

(Chorus)

I roamed and rambled, and I followed my footsteps

To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts,

While all around me a voice was sounding,

“This land was made for you and me.”  

(Chorus) 

When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,

And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,

A voice was chanting, as the fog was lifting,

“This land was made for you and me.” 

(Chorus)