rossmusic_2000@yahoo.com
Produced by Bryan Cumming and wm Alan Ross
Recorded at Studio 23 Nashville
Engineered by Bryan Cumming
Mastering: Doug Wayne, MasterMind
1967 Guild D-44, vocals: wm Alan Ross
Electric guitar, bass, percussion, keyboards: Bryan Cumming
"Who Will Love America" © 2022 Craggie Hope Music (ASCAP)
Music: William Alan Ross
Lyrics: William Alan Ross, Nick Homer
Cracked Flag-Heart cover design: Nick Homer
Illustration: Dave Gomez
The story behind
“Who Will Love America”
In 2013 Nick Homer, a longtime friend from our boyhood days in Wilton, Conn., contacted me about writing an anthemlike theme for his website GoodCitizen.org, an educational site promoting good citizenship through 100 instructive “citizen actions.” The program’s goal is to educate young Americans on the importance of participating in our democracy and how to become effective citizens.
“We have no affiliation with any political party or point of view,” Nick points out.
I submitted a song I believed met Nick’s criteria, much of which was based around the title for his web-book “Who Will Love America?” and several of his citizen actions. We then demoed the song and Nick uploaded it to his GoodCitizen.org website.
Then one evening in July 2022, I happened to randomly pull an old CD copy of the song from my audio shelves. It had been almost 10 years since I last heard the piece. In short, the song stunned me. Goodnight! I thought. This has a far different message today. It’s now a much-needed call for unity for our divided country!
Within the next three months, the song was dusted off, tightened, and flavored with newly recorded sections, with the intent of releasing it as a timely recording to share with all Americans.
― wm Alan Ross
11/22/22
Available now at all digital record stores and streaming outlets―Amazon, Apple iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Deezer, and 33 other digital partners.
Who Will Love America
Music: wm Alan Ross
Lyrics: wm Alan Ross, Nick Homer
© 2022 Craggie Hope Music (ASCAP)
The old man pinned the flag to his lapel
Then a tear fell from his eye so slowly
I asked him what was wrong; he said “In times like these, my son,
I wonder who will love America?”
Bridge: Step up, step up, make it count
Step up, step up, make it count now!
Not long ago this country was so strong
Now in a sea of discontent we’re so divided
Through amber waves once proudly hailed, we’ve no doubt lost our way
Did we forget how to love America?
Verse extension: We’ve forgotten what our fathers said, when they laid out the plan
Liberties abound when each does what he can
We’ve followed the Four Freedoms, we’ve watched a nation bloom
Then he called out these words, I swear it shook the room:
Chorus: Of, by, for the people
Of, by, for the people
Of, by, for the people now!
Who will love America?
Who will save America?
Who will heal America?
Who will love America if not you?
If not you, then who will love America?
(10-bar instrumental)
Bridge: Step up, step up, make it count
Step up, step up, make it count now!
So I asked, “What do I do to do my part?”
He said, “Son, look upon everyone with kindness.
It’s the little things that count, small courtesies to everyone,
That’s what you do when you love America.”
Verse ext.: When the challenges are many and hope seems far away
Remember, it’s not “I” but “us” you’ll find in “USA”
So let’s cling to the cause of freedom and the ideals that got us here
It’s all written in these hallowed words, it couldn’t be any clearer:
Of, by, for the people!
Of, by, for the people!
Of, by, for the people now!
Are we doing everything we can do?
Who will love America?
Who will save America?
Who will heal America?
Who will love America if not you?
(Repeat above two choruses, with bridge overlay):
Step up, step up, make it count
Step up, step up, make it count
Step up, step up, make it count now