Patriotic Music
...s with the new patriotic songs, many of which became hits. This kind of music had not been this popular since World War II. Throughout history, however, American music has paid tribute to different wars and tragedies, though not necessarily in as positive a manner as the songs about 911. Few people can forget Issac Hayes’ slant on the Vietnam War with it’s first like lyrics “War! Hmmph! What is good for? Absotlutely nothing!” Many of the songs from the Vietnam era were negative because the war itself was fought on foreign soil and not many folks understood why. When the Twin Towers went down, however, every American felt the blows to America’s security and the need to retaliate. Our country’s leaders took care of the physical part; the emotional part of the 911 tragedy erupted from the souls of country music artists and reflected the anger and indignation felt by the American public. How dare foreign terrorists commit such an atrocity against our great nation? When I hear these songs, I am reminded of the tragedies that have occurred and how proud I am to be an American. 1. Charlie Daniels: “The Last Fallen Hero” This song tells of the tragedies that occurred on September 11, 2001. “Oh the cowards came by morning and attacked without warning / Leaving flames and death and chaos in our streets / In the middle of this fiery hell brave heroes fell” He says that this is the work of the devil and God is going to help us through. “God help us do our best we will not slack nor rest / Till the last fallen hero rests in peace” This song is about all of the brave police and firefighters who tried to rescue the innocent victims. The lyrics also seem to tell of how they wanted to make sure that all of heroes would be properly honored for what they had done. 2. Toby Keith: “American Soldier” This is a tale about a man that is trying to be a father and a husband but also fight in the war. He does it because he feels that it is his responsibility. He doesn’t want to die but if he does, he says “I’ll bear that cross with honor ‘cause freedom don’t come free”. He is proud that he is an American soldier, and the American public is reminded of the sacrifices made by the common men and women that are fighting for their country. 3. Toby Keith: “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” This is a song about American pride. Toby Keith’s father was an American soldier and was injured in the war, but was proud of what he had accomplished. “ He flew a flag out in our yard ‘til the day that he died / He wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and me / To grow up and live happy in the land of the free”. He is also telling the enemies that they won’t get away with...