Please consider this the two-hundred thirty-second time someone has wished a "Happy Independence Day" to our great nation.
And Happy 4th of July to you too!
I'm always moved by this memorable day, one that marks the occasion where the Continental Congress finalized their draft of the Declaration of Independence from England. A myth is that it was actually signed and approved on July 4th, 1776. In fact, the legal separation from Britain was two days prior - July 2nd, 1776. The Declaration itself was approved as a document on the 4th. It wasn't actually signed by all members of the Congress until August 2nd of said year.
In any case, it is a historic occasion, which warrants much celebration. The freedom that inspired the founding fathers of this nation is indeed a God-given one, a noble cause even today, nationwide and worldwide. Americans condemn the world to a terrible loss of that unique and beautiful freedom, should we take it for granted.
John Adams said this, in writing to his wife Abigail:
"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
God Bless America.
And now on to my musical selection update, to your right - Yankee Doodle Dandy, and my rant, below - New Jersey. "Yankee Doodle" is no doubt a familiar tune to you, at least during your grammar school days. It is a bright and clever song, written partially by the British and partially by the American colonists. It is the state anthem of Connecticut, and the state could not have chosen a better song for the proud connecticutians among us.
It is better than any other state anthem because:
1) It is historic, most definitely, and goes back to the earliest days being an "American", even before our independence was declared, fought for, and won.
2) Most other states have state anthems, but their mediocre titles are simply that of the name of the respective state.
For example,
Alabama's state anthem: 'Alabama'
Arizona's state anthem: 'Arizona'
Arkansas's state anthem: (they change it up a bit - are you ready for this?) 'Oh, Arkansas'
and the BORING list goes on and on...
Georgia chose "Georgia on My Mind", by Hoagy Carmichael. I guess, as a state legislature, you are destined to pick a silly state anthem such as this, given the fact that the composer's mother chose HOAGY for her son's name. What was on HER mind? Loser. Not to mention that Lifetime Television's 'Designing Women' chose it as their theme song. That's enough to ruin it for anybody. So, Georgia - secede, or change the song.
Only 49 states have a state anthem of some kind. But one does not. And which state is that, might you ask? Well, any one of us probably could have guessed this, but NEW JERSEY is the only state without an anthem - and my ventured guess as to the reasoning behind this is as follows.
Merriam Webster Online defines a state "anthem" as:
1) a song or hymn of praise or gladness and/or
2) a usually rousing song popular song that typifies or is identified with a particular subculture, movement or point of view
Firstly, a state anthem is supposed to be uplifting, positive and enthusiastic in making a statement about any given state.
Secondly, the words 'praise', 'gladness', 'rousing' and 'popular' are irrelevant in the case of New Jersey.
Finally, neither New Jersey's legislature nor its populous could find anything uplifting, positive or enthusiastic to say. Actually, no one could, can or WILL...
...excepting "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen. His submission for New Jersey's state anthem, "Born to Run", is still tabled for approval by the state legislature. I suggest that they aptly change the title of Springsteen's submission to "Born to Run - AWAY from New Jersey", though without a doubt, one should run from Bruce's music too.
So Happy Independence Day, Americans. And to you New "Jersey-ans" - pick a better state song and we'll talk.
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1 comment:
I’m sorry, C. Scott Run, but you make me laugh. You are, in fact, a riot.
3 Things:
1) Few people can state as blithely and with as much sincerity as you do that your opinion is assuredly correct. It completely amuses me, especially when you’re not correct. Connecticut does not have the best state anthem. Yankee Doodle?? Seriously?? One does need a joke occasionally, but “All Hail, Massachusetts” is elegant and dignified. And Connecticut simply doesn’t have the historical capital to include lines such as:
“For Lexington and Concord, and the shot heard 'round the world;”
“Where pilgrims found a landing and gave their thanks to God.”
2) I like Bruce Springsteen.
3) Happy Independence Day. God is good! But freedom isn’t free, to quote, and our part in that is something we need to talk about more, everyone...
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