Story Behind The Song

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) wrote the most influential document in American history -- the Declaration of Independence. He was a dreamer with a passion for books and knowledge, concerned above all with ideas. A farmer, scientist and philosopher, he found the words to express the highest of human aspirations, becoming the leading spokesman in the revolution of ideas that transformed America. Jefferson changed the world with what he wrote. "We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniabe: that all men are created equal and independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, and liberty and the pursuit of happiness." -- Thomas Jefferson

Song Description

In a modest hot 2nd floor Philadelphia apartment, over the course of 2+ weeks, Thomas Jefferson revised, edited and tweaked most of what we now call the most important document in the history of America. This song captures a moment in Jefferson's life during that period which was challenging in his life and in the history of The United States.

Lyrics

WHAT HE WROTE
(By Jonathan Sprout & Dave Kinnoin)

Seventh & Market Street, Philadelphia, PA,
Second floor apartment, hot summer day.
Young Mr. Jefferson, thoughts swirling in his head,
Holds high his hopes and dreams that freedom isn't dead.
History is on the brink.
His pen dips into the ink.

Refrain:
What he wrote
It was a Declaration
What he wrote
Of an emerging nation.
What he wrote
It was a Declaration
What he wrote
Of an emerging nation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident
All men are created equal. And on it went.
Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness...
He spelled democracy and nothing less.
He made it crystal clear
So all the world could hear.

Refrain

Let justice kick the King out and send his troops away.
Let freedom bells ring out our Independence Day!

Refrain

© 2009 Kanukatunes (ASCAP) & Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)