Dissent Is As American As Apple Pie
A patriotic protest song about loving America enough to speak up.
House Majority Whip and Minnesota’s sixth Congressional district congressman Tom Emmer lead the chorus of Republican talking points trying to frame next week’s No Kings Day as a “hate America” rally. Nice try.
This is what terrified Republicans sound like. They know everyone hates what they’re doing and there will be unmistakable and unavoidable visual evidence of that on October 18.
This is my response to that bullshit.
(By the way: Grab the YouTube playlist of my protest songs to play on No Kings day)
Lyrics
I was raised where the porch light’s honest,
Flag on the mailbox, seams all worn.
Taught to stand when the anthem’s upon us,
Taught to speak when a promise is torn.
If the American Dream’s a house we’re building,
You don’t fix cracks by closing your eyes.
You call your neighbors, bring your hammers,
And raise your voices to the sky.
I pledge my heart, loud and proud;
I love this land enough to try.
Dissent is as American
As apple pie and Friday night lights,
As Fourth of July fireworks
Painting questions across the night.
I raise my voice for love, not spite;
’Cause freedom’s not a lullaby.
Protest is the prayer we sing
To keep the Dream alive.
From the lunch-pail lines to the levees,
From Selma streets to the taconite mines,
Every “no” that we spoke for justice
Made room for a bigger “yes” in time.
If a star on the flag burns dimmer,
We don’t just squint and call it fine.
We climb the pole, we change the bulb,
We let that banner shine.
I pledge my voice, not assent;
I love this land enough to try.
Dissent is as American
As apple pie and Friday night lights,
As Fourth of July fireworks
Painting questions across the night.
I march because I care too much
To let our story calcify.
Protest is the promise’s ring,
A vow we won’t deny.
Tea in the harbor, pamphlets in print,
Farmers with muskets in winter’s wind;
Every good change started with grit,
A crowd that said, “Begin again.”
Love is a truth that won’t sit still,
It knocks on the doors of Capitol Hill,
Hands on hearts, indomitable will.
Dissent is as American
As apple pie and county fairs,
As the Dream we keep repairing
’Til every voice has air.
I raise my voice for love, not hate;
That’s how patriots testify.
Protest is the work of hope,
The answer to the cry.
We’re Americans; dissent is what we do.
We love freedom; so dissent is what we do.
We cherish liberty; so dissent is what we do.
We love America; so dissent is what we do.
Protest is the voice of freedom,
The sound of liberty singing through.
We’re real Americans; this is what we do.
Another really good one. Passing it on