In a corner, in a hall
In a faintly lit museum
Hangs our yesterdays
For all the world to see them

Portraits of America
Red, white, and blue
Amber waves of gold
A worn pair of shoes

A canvas of three ships
A new world found
Freedom of religion
A world that is round

A Thanksgiving table
The Last Supper of our Lord
A cornucopia of plenty
A world we could afford

A time to be a family
Picnics in the park
Lamps for seeing
Courage to embark

A statue of a hero
The victory of war
Medals of Honor
When less was more

A pair of broken glasses
Visions of saints
Splattered battlefields
Not being what you ain’t

Wheels of progress
The moon’s craters
American dreams
Nothing was greater

Books for learning
A compass to explore
Welcoming home the boys
God was at the core

Bobby pins and needles
Dressing in our Sunday best
Time to smell the roses
Giving Mom time to rest

I weep and I mourn
Our yesterdays gone by
If only we could change
What’s happened to you and I

Could we?

Visit our past
To find our future

An American dream
An American wake-up call

It’s time to get up!