From the recording Life, Love, and Philosophy
Written back in the late 80’s, the original title for this song was “No New Frontiers”. “New Frontiers” was JFK’s campaign slogan. I went thru numerous campaign slogans for names but decided to get away from that because my message is not about a particular administration, left or right. The goal of the transition in the song was to alternate between the story of the birth and downfall of America in a few short verses, and the refrain, which emphasizes the loss of Individual Rights, and the unique American identity, distinctions that Ayn Rand emphasized in her writing. Maybe reference “Ominous Parallels” here.
Lyrics
An American Elegy ©2022 (Originally written in 1990 under the title “No New Frontiers”)
-Art Wildish Music Group, LLC- Capo 4 Intro: G D C G D Asus4 C G
G D C G D Asus4 C G
They came here looking for a chance, a chance to be what they could be.
G D C G D Asus4 C G
Their narrow minds were just as bad, as those that they had chose to flee.
Em Am Em Am Em
But this wild land was too immense, for fools to hold those with common sense.
Em Am Em C/G D
And the individual’s spirit soared……when America was born.
G D C G D Asus4 C G
They wrote a declaration down, to tell a king he'd lost his crown.
G D C G D Asus4 C G
That men were born with certain rights, and if they must they'd stand and fight.
Em Am Em Am Em
While great injustices did exist, the chance was there if you would persist.
Em Am Em C/G D G C/G G C/G
But some believed this system flawed, and individual rights were lost.
G G/F# Em
Give me my freedom back! I'm not "white", or “blue", or "black".
Am C/G D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
I am a human being. An individual unique.
G G/F# Em
I've had it up to here, with right and left and fascist fear.
Am C/G D Dsus4 D Dsus2 D
Just let me keep what I earn. I'll ask for nothing in return.
Em Bm C C/B Am C/G D G D C G D Asus4 C G
America, America, we haven't much time left, to save the individual’s spirit.
G D C G D Asus4 C G
You say that we must sacrifice. To give us all a better life.
G D C G D Asus4 C G
Well I don't recognize your right. Extortion has no "bill of rights"!
Em Am Em Am Em
How many years must we give these plans, before “equality” is at hand.
Em Am Em C/G D G C/G G C/G
How many fools must be laid to rest….before we meet your test.
G D C G D Asus4 C G
The "Great Society" has failed, along with "New Frontiers" and "Deals".
G D C G D Asus4 C G
And still we haven't done enough, or so that’s what they say to us.
Em Am Em Am Em
Through all the years of these social schemes, comes more pain and hatred and suffering.
Em Am Em C/G D G C/G G C/G
And still they're blind to the hell they've wrought, claiming victory while our freedom's lost.
G G/F# Em
Give me my freedom back! I'm not "white", or “blue", or "black".
Am C/G D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
I am a human being. An individual unique.
G G/F# Em
I see through the disguise of right and left and Marxist lies.
Am C/G D Dsus4 D Dsus2 D
They're all the same can't you see. No individu-al-ity.
Em Bm C C/B Am C/G D Dsus4 D G C/G G
America, America, we must not let it go, no false catch phrase can save our souls.