Story Behind The Song
In 2013 Nick Homer, a longtime friend from our boyhood days in Wilton, Conn., contacted me about writing an anthemlike theme for his website GoodCitizen.org, an educational site promoting good citizenship through 100 instructive "citizen actions." The program's goal is to educate young Americans on the importance of participating in our democracy and how to become effective citizens.
"We have no affiliation with any political party or point of view," Nick points out.
I submitted a song I believed met Nick's criteria, much of which was based around the title for his web-book "Who Will Love America?" and several of his citizen actions. We then demoed the song and Nick uploaded it to his GoodCitizen.org website.
Then one evening in July 2022, I happened to randomly pull an old CD copy of the song from my audio shelves. It had been almost 10 years since I last heard the piece. In short, the song stunned me. "Goodnight!" I thought. "This has a far different message today. It's now a much-needed call for unity for our divided country!"
Within the next three months, the song was dusted off, tightened, and flavored with newly recorded sections, with the intent of releasing it as a timely recording to share with all Americans.
-- wm Alan Ross
12/29/22
Song Description
In this culturally divided country, "Who Will Love America" is a call for unity.
| Song Length |
5:42 |
Genre |
Country - Americana, Pop - General |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Subject |
Healing, Patriotic |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Who Will Love America
Music: wm Alan Ross
Lyrics: wm Alan Ross
© 2022 Craggie Hope Music (ASCAP)
The old man pinned the flag to his lapel
Then a tear fell from his eye so slowly
I asked him what was wrong; he said "In times like these, my son,
I wonder who will love America?"
Bridge: Step up, step up, make it count
Step up, step up, make it count now!
Not long ago this country was so strong
Now in a sea of discontent we're so divided
Through amber waves once proudly hailed, we've no doubt lost our way
Did we forget how to love America?
Verse extension: We've forgotten what our fathers said, when they laid out the plan
Liberties abound when each does what he can
We've followed the Four Freedoms, we've watched a nation bloom
Then he called out these words, I swear it shook the room
Chorus: Of, by, for the people
Of, by, for the people
Of, by, for the people now!
Who will love America?
Who will save America?
Who will heal America?
Who will love America if not you?
If not you, then who will love America?
(10-bar instrumental)
Bridge: Step up, step up, make it count
Step up, step up, make it count now!
So I asked, "What do I do to do my part?"
He said, "Son, look upon everyone with kindness.
It's the little things that count, small courtesies to everyone,
That's what you do when you love America."
Verse ext.: When the challenges are many and hope seems far away
Remember, it's not "I" but "us" you'll find in "USA"
So let's cling to the cause of freedom and the ideals that got us here
It's all written in these hallowed words, it couldn't be any clearer
Of, by, for the people!
Of, by, for the people!
Of, by, for the people now!
Are we doing everything we can do?
Who will love America? (Step up, step up, make it count)
Who will save America?
Who will heal America? (Step up, step up, make it count now)
Who will love America if not you?
Of, by, for the people! (Step up, step up, make it count)
Of, by, for the people! (Step up, step up, make it count)
Of, by, for the people now! (Step up, step up, make it count now)
Challenge yourself through and through
Who will love America? (Step up, step up, make it count)
Who will save America? (Step up, step up, make it count)
Who will heal America? (Step up, step up, make it count now)
Who will love America if not you?
Of, by, for the people! (Step up, step up, make it count)
Of, by, for the people! (Step up, step up, make it count)
Of, by, for the people now! (Step up, step up, make it count now)
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon now, people!
Who will love America? (Step up, step up, make it count)
Who will save America? (Step up, step up, make it count)
Who will heal America? (Step up, step up, make it count now)
FADE OUT