Price of Freedom - Belated Independence Day Tribute

Many thanks to the absolutely fabulous Darrell Scott.



With a Memory Like Mine
Darrell Scott & Anthony Wayne Scott

I can see that train a-coming
Watch that big light shine this way
Hear that whistle softly blowing
Lord, it’s been an awful day

I watched them leave that Friday morning
It was in the month of May
I told my son to be a good soldier
But return again someday

He did return just one year later
And I’ll not forget the day
The baggage car is where he traveled
In a casket where he lay

Chorus:
Train man, keep your whistle blowing
Make it moan, make it whine
You make a man feel mighty lonesome
With a memory like mine

In that little country graveyard
On a dark and dreary day
They placed a flag upon the casket
And the casket in the grave

I couldn’t stand it any longer
And I knew not how to pray
I cried, Oh, Lord, I hate to leave him
All alone beneath the clay

Chorus

I can see him as a baby
I can hear him call my name
I can feel him under fire
And see him rising from the flame
Lord, if I could I’d trade places
I would gladly give my all
I’d wrap that flag around me like a blanket
And listen for the clods to fall

Chorus



American Tune is one of those songs one feels privileged to sing - it fills you up like few others. It is in my top 5. Paul Simon is the master bard of my generation. I always prefer the songwriter's recording of a song but Darrell Scott's interpretation of American Tune is mighty fine.

American Tune is a true patriotic song. A country with imperfections and mistake ridden but one of endless possibilities. Of sadness and self reflection but more than anything else, a positive belief to keep working and looking forward. Happy Birthday America.

Many's the time I've been mistaken
And many times confused
Yes, and often felt forsaken
And certainly misused
Oh, but I'm alright, I'm alright
I'm just weary to my bones
Still, you don't expect to be
Bright and bon vivant
So far a-way from home, so far away from home.

I don't know a soul who's not been battered
I don't have a friend who feels at ease
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered
or driven to its knees
Oh, but it's alright, it's alright
for we lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the
road we're traveling on
I wonder what's gone wrong
I can't help it, I wonder what's gone wrong.

And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty
Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying.

We come on the ship they call the Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the a-ge's most uncertain hours
and sing an American tune
Oh, and it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
You can't be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow's going to be another working day
And I'm trying to get some rest
That's all I'm trying to get some rest.