"I Am an American (And Proud To Be)" by Paul Val
About "There Was a Time In America"
Paul Val is an American who has lived long enough to have seen and experienced two very different Americas. The America he grew up in was much kinder, gentler, and more safe for children. The America of today consists of tragedies such as the Columbine High School massacre.
While thinking about what could cause kids to want to hurt and kill other kids, Paul concluded that over the years positive influences on children have decreased while negative influeces have increased dramatically. The graphic violence of many movies, television shows, video games, and music bombards children daily. At the same time, the positive influences of prayer and God are outlawed in the public shools. In addition, concepts of right or wrong are not taught anymore. It seems that disclipline is frowned upon and many more children experience broken families.
Rather than facing and attacking these tough problems head on, many people look for simple solutions like gun control. They fail to realize that guns are just a tool. If we continue to allow our children's minds to be saturated with violence and take away positive values, they will find other ways to maim and kill. As a grandfather of four young and precious children just beginning public schools, Paul felt he had to do something to start a public dialogue on this subject. Having the musical background and knowing the tremendous influence of music on the young, Paul wrote and recorded this with the help of school children. The main point of the song is there was a time in America when kids felt safe at school and we must get there again.
There Was a Time In America
There was a time in America
when kids were simply kids
didn't need sex education
carry guns in violation
of all the rules
when kids were allowed to pray
and never were they led astray
religious freedom was the rule
and god was still allowed in school
there was a time in America
when kids were simply kids
there was a time in America
when kids were safe in schools
didn’t need an army
to carry out the rules
there was a time in America
when kids learned right from wrong
there was a time in America
when kids were simply kids!
there was a time in America
when kids did not kill kids
now we cry out in frustration
what has happened to our nation?
where did we go wrong?
now the ones who took god out of school
told parents discipline was cruel
say outlaw all the guns today
and parents should be made to pay
there was a time in America
when kids were simply kids!
if we don't learn to do it right
our nation's day will turn to night
the promise of America's fate
will not return but fade away
there was a time in America
when kids were simply kids
there was a time in America
when kids were simply kids...oh yeah!Copyright 1999 (Paul Val)
Believe In Yourself
Too many people with low self-esteem
Too many people who don't have a dream
Too many people with hate in their heart
Isn't it time we made a new startA few simple rules that you should hear
Here's some examples to make it clear
It's not very hard when you know the way
Let's hear what some great men say(CHORUS)
Believe in yourself and your fellow man
In whatever you do, believe that you can
With that kind of attitude it's hard to fail
Believe (in yourself) and you'll find the way
To the dawning of a brand new dayJudge a man by his character,
Not by the color of his skin,
A famous man once had that dream
And we should listen to him(CHORUS)
Believe in yourself and your fellow man
In whatever you do, believe that you can
With that kind of attitude it's hard to fail
Believe (in yourself) and you'll find the way
To the dawning of a brand new dayLove your neighbor as yourself
A bold idea by a man of old
A great commandment we've been told
And we should listen to Him
And we should listen to HimRespect each others beliefs and ideas
Don't fill your heart with foolish fears
Each mans freedom to express his faith
Strengthens yours to do the same
Strengthens yours to do the same(CHORUS)
Believe in yourself and your fellow man
In whatever you do, believe that you can
With that kind of attitude it's hard to fail
Believe (in yourself) and you'll find the way
To the dawning of a brand new day(CHORUS)
Believe in yourself and your fellow man
In whatever you do, believe that you can
With that kind of attitude it's hard to fail
Believe (in yourself) and you'll find the way
To the dawning of a brand new dayCopyright 2008 (Paul Val)
I am an American (And Proud to Be)
I Pledge allegiance to the flag to the flag ofthe United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God...
I am an American and proud to be,
I came to this land yearning to be free,
I came from countries far and near
And in the process shed many a tear,
For things were tough in this rugged new land,
But I wasn't afraid and I used my hand,
To work, to build, to plow, to pray,
To God in His goodness to show me the way
I am an American and proud to be,
To live free or die was my purpose, my goal , my Decree,
I told the world keep your hands off me,
When they didn't I fought for no choice had I,
Except, again, to live free or die,
Soon the world learned that I meant what I said,
So I stopped fighting and buried my dead,
I turned my thoughts to building instead,
Exploring, inventing and forging ahead,
With hard work and courage and help from above,
I built a country I'm damned proud of!
I am an American and proud to be!
Through much trouble and strife and many mistakes,
I sometimes lost faith that I had what it takes,
But time and again God smiled down on me,
And gave me the will to fight to stay free,
Many enemies learned to their great dismay:
That though I prefer peace to war any day;
Don't threaten my freedom or that of my friend,
For that's when I fight, and that is your end,
I am an American, And Proud to be!
Oh why was I blind? Why couldn't I see,
The freedom that God gave to you and to me,
Must be earned through our blood, our sweat and our tears,
Through our might, our courage, and yes through our prayers,
I am an American, And Proud to be!
So as an American, I stand up and say,
To all who would see my freedom ground into clay,
Watch out my "fine friends" my patience grows thin,
In your assault against freedom you never can win,
I won't permit it you see, that's all there is to it,
I will fight to the death for my right to pursue it,
I am an American, I am an American
This is a Time in America,
One things very clear
We must face this evil,
Or forever live in fear
This is a Time in America,
When freedom must prevail
This is a time in America,
United we must stand...One nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
Copyright 2001 (Paul Val)What Ever Happened to the USA
Whatever happened to the USA?
Where concern for the kids once led the way
now money and greed rule the day,
and the only question asked is, how much will they pay?”Kiddy porn is on the net,
teen age sex (is) a sure bet,
you may think we're cold and mean,
but the color of their money sure is green.A little more sex, a little more killing,
how can we make it even more thrilling?
Make that movie = publish that song,
we'll make money all day long.Let the parents screech and the preachers preach,
we're exercising our freedom of speech,
all we really want to know,
is just how far can we really go?It's not my problem who gets hurt,
look at this suit, man look at this shirt,
a little more blood, a little more gore,
and I guarantee we'll sell even more.A little more sex, a little more killing,
we'll make lots of money from the children,
so write that script - put it on tv,
we'll make money you and me.It's not our fault if they kill and maim,
it's the parents you should blame,
we're just practicing artistice license,
by feeding your kids blood, sex and violence.A little more sex, a little more killing,
we'll make lots of money from the children,
a little more sex, a little more killing,
we'll make lots of money from the children.Copyright © March 2004 by paul val. all rights reserved
Hey Now (I Think I'm In Love)
Hey now, think I'm in Love
Well now, blue skies above
The world just seems like a better place
I walk around with a smile on my face
Hey now, think I'm in love
Well now, bright stars above
All my troubles really seem much smaller
When I walk, I feel I'm 10 feet taller
Hey now, think I'm in Love
Well now, blue skies above
I'm feelin' so good, what should I do
You think she'll say that she loves me too
Hey now, think I'm in Love
Well now, bright stars above
What I wouldn't give to really know
Wow it it could only be so
Hey now...
Hey now, she loves me too
Well now, I know it's true
How do I know because I'm not that smart
Last night she kissed me with all of her heart,
We walk around with smiles on our face
The world just seems like a better place
Hey now, know were in love
Well now, blue skies aboveCopywrite April 2004 Paul Val
Thanksgiving In America
On this special day of Thanksgiving
On this day of peace and love,
We give thanks for all our blessings
To the Lord, our God AboveFamilies gather round their tables
Cross this land that God has blessed
As we search for words to thank him
Where do we begin.Thanksgiving in America
Is that very special day
When we give thanks for all our blessings
And Gods’ help along the wayFor the food upon our table
We wait patiently to share?
And the loving family gathered
For the sharing of a prayer.For the sun that shines upon us
And the rain that brings forth life
For the country that we live in
And the freedom that’s our right.
Thanksgiving in America
Is that very special day
When we give thanks for all our blessings
And Gods’ help along the way.In this country that we call home
There are people who need love
We can share our bounty with those in need
For the colors of the fall
For the snow which soon will swirl
For the coming of (the) spring
And the warmth that summer brings.For the common thread that binds us
And from many makes us one
For the goodness of our people
And the good that we have done.Thanksgiving in America
Means more than I can say
In the confines of a song
About this special dayThanksgiving in America
Means more than I can say
When we give thanks for all our blessings
And God's help along the wayCopywrite February 2009 Paul Val
The Dawning Of A Brand New Day
(The First Black President of the USA)
Too many people with low self esteem
Too many people who don’t have a dream
Too many people with hate in their heart
Isn’t it time we made a new start?
One simple rule that you should hear
One simple rule to make it clear
If you have a dream deep in your heart
Follow that dream, that’s how you startThe man of change said, Yes We Can
Believe in yourself and your fellow man
Then follow your dream with all your heart
Believe in yourself and lead the way
To the dawning of a brand new day
Judge a man by his character,
Not by the color of his skin
A famous man once had that dream
And we finally listened to himThe man of change said, Yes We Can
Believe in yourself and your fellow man
Then follow your dream with all your heart
Believe in yourself and lead the way
To the dawning of a brand new dayBarak Obama is the man of the day
(The) first black President of the USA
He had a dream and he followed it through
He made history and so can you
You can make your dream come true
He promised change to a better way
And because of that he won the day
He spoke his mind with amazing grace
Because of that he won the race
Because of that he won the race
The man of change said, Yes We Can
Believe in yourself and your fellow man
Then follow your dream with all your heart
Believe in yourself and lead the way
To the dawning of a brand new day
The man of change said, Yes We Can
Believe in yourself and your fellow man
Then follow your dream with all your heart
Believe in yourself and lead the way
To the dawning of a brand new dayCopywrite 2009 Paul Val
John McCain is the Real Deal
John McCain is the man of the day,
Give him a chance and he'll lead the way
The Straight Talking guy who means what he says
He'll lead our country to a better dayA true war hero who knows how to lead,
He's just the man for a country in need,
He'll protect our land from the terrorist threat
He'll get Bin Laden, I’m willing to bet
CHORUS
He believes in himself and his fellow man
In whatever he does, he knows that he can
With that kind of attitude, it's hard to fail
John McCain is the real deal
John McCain is the real deal.Although he's conservative in most of his ways
He can break the gridlock that haunts our days
He can get things done with the other side
And help us restore our National Pride
CHORUS
He believes in himself and his fellow man
In whatever he does, he knows that he can
With that kind of attitude, it's hard to fail
John McCain is the real deal
John McCain is the real deal.He'll cut the spending and our taxes too
He'll create the jobs that will suit you
He'll fix our economy and make our borders strong
And you should vote for him,
Yes, you should vote for him
CHORUS
He believes in himself and his fellow man
In whatever he does, he knows that he can
With that kind of attitude, it's hard to fail
John McCain is the real deal
John McCain is the real deal.
Instrumental Break
He has wide appeal to more than his base
And that's what's needed to win this race
He'll make the changes that need to be done
For the ultimate good of everyone
CHORUS
He believes in himself and his fellow man
In whatever he does, he knows that he can
With that kind of attitude, it's hard to fail
John McCain is the real deal
John McCain is the real deal
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