I’m proud to be an American,

For surely we are blessed!

The Hand of God reaches lovingly out to caress

Our saints, our patriots, our sons we’ve laid to rest.

 

I’m proud to be an American—

Here, I know I’m free:

Just for existing, I’m told, I get to be

Brave and bold, not bound by sun or sea.

 

I’m proud to be an American;

You must know that’s true;

But it must be said that brave, bold, and blue

Is a hard reputation to live up to.

 

I’m proud to be an American,

But sometimes, it’s really hard—

Those my country is supposed to guard

End up broken, and in the pile of discard.

 

I’m proud to be an American,

And I’m tired of being silent

While missiles carry out sins and violent

Messages of terror to Syria, sent out by a tyrant.

 

I’m proud to be an American,

But how can I sit idly by

When pollution makes it impossible to see the sky?

When everyone continues to turn a blind eye?

 

I’m proud to be an American.

This, at least, I know;

Sometimes, I wonder how this is so

When sons are ripped from mothers crying in the snow.

 

I’m proud to be an American,

But every day teachers take the blame

When students refuse to aim

Their attention on the lessons and leave their minds the same.

 

I’m proud to be an American,

Though I see that things need to change:

African Americans cannot arrange

Protests without becoming targets at a firing range.

 

I’m proud to be an American,

And it’s plain as day to me

Adoption should never be

As stressful and heartbreaking for those who can’t make two into three.

 

I’m proud to be an American;

And on some days, I don’t know what to say—

But when the sunshine fades to gray,

I know I’ll be there singing when at last there is a new day.