On the Fourth of July, when the sparklers all gleam,
With hot dogs and baseball and dreams of ice cream,
We picnic and laugh in the sun’s blistering glow,
With short sleeves, shorts, and sandals ready to go.
Boom-bang! go the fireworks—red, white, and blue.
Happy birthday, America. Please pass the barbecue.
Somewhere between the apple pie and the parade,
We forgot what it cost for the freedom we’ve made.
Men long ago were on their knees in fervent prayer.
They signed the Declaration when many wouldn’t dare.
They wagered their lives, their fortunes, their fame,
For liberty anchored in our Creator’s holy name.
Now textbooks grow thin on where the sacrifice stood.
They skip past faith, making history just “bad” or “good.”
Then, prayers in the classroom were made illegal.
People lost their love for the great bald eagle.
“In God We Trust” once rang steady and true,
But trust has morphed into what power can do.
The phrase has been twisted, reshaped, and reworded.
We now depend on government, and God is avoided.
We shout, “I’m independent,” with confident cheer.
While depending on systems, we’re told not to fear.
But freedom runs hollow when pride takes the helm,
And God’s gentle whisper is lost in a fantasy realm.
For true independence will work when we see
That we’re never really free when we’re trying to be.
Self-made is a myth that will crumble and bend.
We’re strongest when God is our start and our end.
So light up the night skies. Enjoy every cheer.
But remember God’s presence, for he is near.
Our liberty lasts when our hearts understand:
We depend on him to bless this great land.
