Song for America
Kansas
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Virgin land of forest green, dark and stormy plains, here all life abounds Sunlit valley, mountain fields, unseen in the rain, here all life abounds No man rules this land, no human hand has soiled this paradise Waiting patiently, so much to see, so rich in Earth's delights Painted desert, sequined sky, stars that fill the night, here all life abounds Rivers flowing to the sea, sunshine pure and bright, here all life abounds No man rules this land, no human hand has soiled this paradise Waiting patiently, so much to see, so rich in Earth's delights So the maiden lies in waiting for the sails to reach the shore Land of beauty and abunance, innocent, you opened wide your door Wanderers found the waiting treasure, full of gifts beyond their measure Milk and honey for our pleasure Across the sea there came a multitude, sailing ships upon the wave Filled with visions of Utopia and the freedom that they crave Ravage, plunder, see no wonder, rape and kill and tear asunder Chop the forest, plow it under Highways scar the mountainsides, buildings to the sky, people all around So we rule this land, and her we stand upon our paradise Dreaming of a place, our weary race is ready to rise
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Written by: KERRY LIVGREN, KERRY A LIVGREN
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Origin and Background"Song for America" was released in 1975 as part of the second studio album, also named "Song for America", by the American rock band Kansas.
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SongwritersThe song was composed collectively by five band members: Kerry Livgren, Rich Williams, Phil Ehart, Dave Hope, and Robby Steinhardt.
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Track DurationWith a length of nearly ten minutes, it stands out as one of the longest recorded songs by Kansas.
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Unplanned LyricsThe song's lyrics, which are known for their patriotic tones, were reportedly written spontaneously on a pizza box by Kerry Livgren during a jam session.
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Instrumental SectionsIt is divided into various instrumental sections, including an extended guitar riff towards the end, which is considered one of the highlights of the track.
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Live Performance"Song for America" has been a staple of Kansas' live concerts, and was included in their live album "Two for the Show" released in 1978.
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ConceptThe song portrays America as a woman sailing the sea, mirroring the journey of the American people throughout history, hence the name "Song for America".
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Song InterpretationThe band members have reportedly stated that the song is intended to inspire reflection about where America has been, what it's currently experiencing, and where it's headed.
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Album SuccessThe "Song for America" album reached number 57 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart, showcasing the popularity of the band and their music.
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LegacyMany fans and critics consider "Song for America" as one of the best and most representative songs of Kansas' prolific career.
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Citation
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"Song for America Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/17771056/Kansas/Song+for+America>.
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