Lyrics:
Wake Up, America [Version (a)]:
Have we forgotten, America, the battles our fathers fought?
Are we ashamed of our history? In the peace that fighting brought?
Must we be laughed at, America, while our swords turn weak with rust
Is the blood of our fathers wasted? And how have we treated their trust?
Is Columbia the gem of the ocean? Is Old Glory the pride of the Free?
Let's forget every selfish emotion, United forever, let's be!
Wake up, America, if we are called to war
Are we prepared to give our lives for our sweethearts and our wives?
Are our mothers and our homes worth fighting for?
Let us pray, God, for peace, but peace with honor
But let's get ready to answer duty's call
So when Old Glory stands unfurled
Let it mean to all the world:
America is ready, that's all!
Do you remember George Washington that winter at Valley Forge?
Jackson and Custer and Farragut and of Perry at Fort George?
McKinley and Lincoln were fighting men
And the heroes our country knew simply crowd through history pages
Just think what they've done all for you!
Made Columbia the gem of the ocean
Made Old Glory the pride of the free
Shall we fail in our test of devotion?
Oh! What is our history to be?
Have we forgotten, America, the battles our fathers fought?
Are we ashamed of our history? In the peace that fighting brought?
Must we be laughed at, America, while our swords turn weak with rust
Is the blood of our fathers wasted? And how have we treated their trust?
Is Columbia the gem of the ocean? Is Old Glory the pride of the Free?
Let's forget every selfish emotion, United forever, let's be!
Wake up, America, if we are called to war
Are we prepared to give our lives for our sweethearts and our wives?
Are our mothers and our homes worth fighting for?
Let us pray, God, for peace, but peace with honor
But let's get ready to answer duty's call
So when Old Glory stands unfurled
Let it mean to all the world:
America is ready, that's all!
Do you remember George Washington that winter at Valley Forge?
Jackson and Custer and Farragut and of Perry at Fort George?
McKinley and Lincoln were fighting men
And the heroes our country knew simply crowd through history pages
Just think what they've done all for you!
Made Columbia the gem of the ocean
Made Old Glory the pride of the free
Shall we fail in our test of devotion?
Oh! What is our history to be?
The Song:
In order for it to feel more authentic, Beck filled out his Song Reader book with a number of song fragments, melodies, fictional album collections and made-up song titles. This song is listed as part of the Male Quartette Collection.
Many of the song titles on the back of "Saint Dude," like this one, are references to actual older song titles. "Wake Up, America" was a 1916 sheet music song, scolding people for not being patriotic enough.
In order for it to feel more authentic, Beck filled out his Song Reader book with a number of song fragments, melodies, fictional album collections and made-up song titles. This song is listed as part of the Male Quartette Collection.
Many of the song titles on the back of "Saint Dude," like this one, are references to actual older song titles. "Wake Up, America" was a 1916 sheet music song, scolding people for not being patriotic enough.