Lyrics for American history kids music.

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AMERICA Lyrics

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Revolution, revolution
The road to the American Revolution
Revolution, revolution
The road to the American Revolution
A war with England that we tried to avoid
But the fight for freedom was the only solution
The American Revolution, revolution
What led us to a revolution?

It started with the French and the Indian War
Which lasted nine years and England paid for
So the king passed this act to get his money back
Taxing all paper was a liberty attack
Colonies couldn't vote, and had frustration
There'll be no taxation without representation!
What is this called in our history; what act required a big blue seal?
Uh, I'm gonna go with THE STAMP ACT

Next came enforcement of the Townsend Acts
Which put poorly paid troops among the colonists' ranks
They took over churches to have a roof overhead
And took low-paying jobs that the colonists once had
Angry colonials would tease "lobster-backs"
Until one day the British shot back
What is this called in our history; that shocked and united the colonies?
It became known as THE BOSTON MASSACRE

Revolution, revolution
The road to the American Revolution

When the East India Trade Company
Was given a trade monopoly on tea
The colonists feared more English control
And in protest wouldn't let English boats ashore
Dressed like Indians, they boarded 3 boats
To throw the tea overboard and out in the port
What is this called in our history; tell me now, do you drink tea?
That was THE BOSTON TEA PARTY (I'm more of a coffee guy, myself!)

The colonists knew that the day would come
When they had to fight to break from England
They stored up powder, cannonballs and guns
They could get ready fast; they were Minutemen
The English attacked the Concord military store
The shot was heard round the world; a revolutionary war
Which battle in our history was the first to secure our liberty?
THE BATTLE OF CONCORD AND LEXINGTON

Revolution, revolution
The road to the American Revolution

The Second Continental Congress wrote to King George
Complaints that they felt couldn't be ignore
Equality and fairness they put into print
Ideas they'd use for their new government
Liberty, life, pursuit of happiness
Are some of things they declared to address
What is it called in our history; the document that says we should all be free?
That's our DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

It took King George a little while to get over it, but now England and the US are pretty good friends.

Revolution, revolution
The road to the American Revolution
Revolution, revolution
The road to the American Revolution
A war with England that we tried to avoid
But the fight for freedom was the only solution
The American Revolution, revolution
Revolution, revolution, revolution...

National Anthem - music sample - Poem written by Francis Scott Key

What in the world was Francis Scott Key trying to say when he wrote the Star Spangled Banner?

It was a poem about the battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and was good enough to become our national anthem!

Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the National Anthem

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

That's an old-fashioned, super-dramatic way to ask if anyone could tell what had happened in the previous night's battle

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

Francis Scott Key was watching from a safe distance to see if the American flag was still flying over the Fort

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

Flashes of light from constant explosions allowed everyone to see that Fort McHenry had not been captured by the British

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Please stop

And the home of the brave, STAR
And the home of the brave, SPANGLED
And the home of the brave, BANNER
And the home of the brave!

What do you know about the Civil War?
What did Americans fight each other for?
Who was wrong and who was right?
When the North and the South were about to fight.

Can you imagine being taken from your home
And sailed to a place that you've never known
Forced to work hard on a farm all day
Back-breaking work without any pay
Freedom fighters called Abolitionists
Eventually helped put an end to this
Do you know what we're talking about?
SLAVERY

He became the President in 1860
His Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery
Southern states did not agree
So they tried to start their own country
It was difficult to keep the country as one
He was finally killed by an assassin's gun
Who was the president during the war?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN

What do you know about the Civil War?
What did Americans fight each other for?
Who was wrong and who was right?
When the North and the South were armed to fight.

To make lots of money they would farm lots of land
But the work took the effort of the human hand
Before the cotton gin they relied on slavery
It was the economic muscle of the Confederacy
Acres of tobacco and the cotton plant
Would fall under attack of Ulysses S. Grant
What part of the country are we talking about?
THE SOUTHERN STATES

A farm is much different than a factory
A man with a machine can do the work of twenty
With the progress of industry on its side
This part of the country began to thrive
Blocking supplies to the rebels from the sea
The Yanks beat the army of General Robert E. Lee
What part of the country are we talking about?
THE NORTHERN STATES

Civil War (It lasted 4 years)
Never more (620,000 dead)
Civil War
President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was delivered to dedicate a national
cemetery, but its underlying message was intended to get people to quit fighting
and come together as one nation.

Soon after the Civil War, the country started its "Reconstruction Period," which was the time in which the states started working together again as a single nation.

How did the USA get to be
The size it is on maps we see
It started with thirteen colonies
Then grew to the West with more territory

France claimed the land past the Mississippi
Sold it for $15 million in 1803
To the US government which gave our country
The best real estate deal in history
Thomas Jefferson bought the land from Napoleon for only 3 cents an acre.
What did they call this purchase?
It was the LOUISIANA PURCHASE

Two great explorers with little time for play
Their journey took eight-hundred and sixty four days
Their mission was to find the safest way
To reach the Pacific and start more trade
Exploration is dangerous; Meriwether was accidentally shot in the butt
when he was mistaken for an elk.
Who were these two explorers?
It was LEWIS AND CLARK

The first people traveling West had no car
Or a fast train with a salad bar
10 miles a day was about as far as they could get with this thing that was pulled by a horse...
They used COVERED WAGONS

How did the USA get to be
The size it is on maps we see
It started with thirteen colonies
Then grew to the West with more territory

Pardon me, fella. Do you know the way to San Jose?

How did the settlers know where to go?
When there were no maps or a single paved road
Landmarks and stories were the way to know
That Native Americans could easily show
What did pioneers travel along before super highways were built?
They followed TRAILS, like the Oregon and Santa Fe

California in the year 1849
Had something that thousands of people came to find
A great discovery with money making shine
They called them "forty-niners," they worked in a mine
What event was attended almost completely by men who wanted to get rich (even though most did not)?
That's the CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH

Settlers were killing all their buffalo
So they bravely fought back like Geronimo
Loosing their land with no place to go
But their fate would be negotiating reservations of land and trying to build a new identity in a modern world...
They were NATIVE AMERICANS

You know how the USA got to be
The size it is on maps we see
It started with thirteen colonies
Then grew to the West with more territory

You know, we call it Westward Expansion, but if you were a Native American at the time, you might have looked at it more as an Eastern invasion. It's something to think about!

Holiday, holiday
Didn't have to go to school today
A special American day
But what's the celebration?

In 1882, 10,000 people had a Parade in New York City to honor the nation's working
people. Without their efforts, our country wouldn't be as strong and prosperous. It
happens at the end of summer on the first Monday in September.
What do we celebrate? Every year on this date?
LABOR DAY

On the second Monday in October, we honor an explorer who knew the world was not
flat. He traveled the seas to find a quicker route to India and Asia. He is given
credit as the first European to have discovered the New World of the Americas.
What do we celebrate? Every year on this date?
COLUMBUS DAY

In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, a peace
treaty was signed to end World War I. This day was originally called Armistice Day
and honors the brave Americans who have fought in all wars.
What do we celebrate? Every year on this date?
VETERANS DAY

Native Americans helped the Pilgrims survive the rough winter months by teaching
them how to plant corn and other crops. Americans give thanks to this tradition of
sharing with a feast on the fourth Thursday in November.
What do we celebrate? Every year on this date?
THANKSGIVING DAY

Holiday, holiday
Didn't have to go to school today
A special American day
But what's the celebration?

He helped win civil rights for his people without using violence. He said, "I have
a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be
judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." It's the
third Monday in January.
What do we celebrate? Every year on this date?
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY

There used to be two holidays in February for the birthdays of two great
Americans. But in 1971, President Nixon proclaimed one holiday to honor
George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and all of the others just like them.
What do we celebrate? Every year on this date?
PRESIDENTS DAY

This holiday originally honored those who died in the American Civil War.
Today it honors the memories of all loved ones that have died. We place flowers on
their graves and wave the flag on the last Monday in May.
What do we celebrate? Every year on this date?
MEMORIAL DAY

You won't be in school for this holiday, unless you're in summer school. It's the
birthday of the United States and the day that the Declaration of Independence was
signed. Be cautious of fireworks, please.
What do we celebrate? Every year on this date?
INDEPENDENCE DAY

Holiday, holiday
We didn't have to go to school (hooray!)
My cousins came over and we all played
Stuffing our faces with food all day
Watched cartoons on TV all day
I wish every day was a holiday...

Let's learn the 50 states
You can learn the 50 states
Let's learn the 50 states
You can learn the 50 states
Let's start the song - with A through D
Are you ready? Are you ready?
1, 2, 3...

Alabama and Alaska,
Arizona, Arkansas‰
California, Colorado
Connecticut and that's not all
Where, Oh where is Delaware?
(It's on the East Coast; it was our first state!)
Now you've got the first eight!

Florida's the next state
Then Georgia and Hawaii
Did you know that the next four all start with "I"?
Idaho, (Idaho)
Illinois, (Illinois)
Indiana, (Indiana)
Iowa. (Iowa)
Add 2 K's with Kansas and Kentucky
But just 1 "L"... that Louisiana's lucky

Let's learn the 50 states
You can learn the 50 states

16 states start with "M" or "N"; Maine
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan
If you know the next 4 you get a banana
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana
Half way done and I'm really proud of ya
On to the "N's": Nebraska, Nevada
4 states with "New" forget them you're a dork
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York
North Carolina, North Dakota, let's sing the chorus, here we go-a

Let's learn the 50 states
(East coast and West coast)
You can learn the 50 states
(Across the Midwest)
Let's learn the 50 states
(Down in the South)
You can learn the 50 states
(and way up North)
3 states all start with "O"
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon way to go!

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O Pennsylvania,
Q, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota
Are you getting thirsty and wanna drink a soda?
Just 9 states on the list
Let's do in 3/4 time and you'll get the gist
Tennessee, Texas, Utah
Vermont, Virginia, Washington
3 more "W's" for you to sing
West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming

Let's learn the 50 states
(Where do you live?)
You can learn the 50 states
(In the USA)
Let's learn the 50 states
(Who are your neighbors?)
You can learn the 50 states
(In the USA)
Let's learn the 50 states
(Where have you been?)
You can learn the 50 states
(In the USA)
Let's learn the 50 states
(Which state is your favorite?)
You can learn the 50 states
50 states!

Symbols, la, la, la, la
Symbols of America
Symbols, do, do, do, do
Symbols for me and you, red, white and blue

It's a symbol of freedom that rings E-flat
If you visit Philadelphia that's where it's at
Mostly made of copper, cast in 1752
Weighs more than a ton, has a crack that can't be glued
Can you name this symbol of our nation?
Why yes I can without hesitation.
It hasn't rang since 1835, it's THE LIBERTY BELL.

Another symbol flying high and free
It's on the list of endangered species
But they're being protected and there's more each year
It's not really bald; there are white feathers there
Can you name this symbol of our nation?
It's not a turkey like Ben Franklin suggested.
Our national bird is the BALD EAGLE.

It arrived in New York City in 350 separate pieces in the year
1885. It was a gift from France to America to honor their friendship during the
American Revolution. The 25 windows in the crown symbolize gemstones found on earth
and the seven rays of the crown represent the seven continents.
Can you name this symbol of our nation?
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

It's changed over time in the part that's blue
Adding stars for states as our nation grew
The last star was added in 1960 for Hawaii
We salute it as it waves in the sky
Can you name this symbol do you have a clue?
Rojo, blanco y azul
It's "Old Glory," THE AMERICAN FLAG

A poem written by Francis Scott Key
Inspired by a battle with the British he could see
The melody came from a British tune
Called "To Anacreon in Heaven" but you'll forget that soon
Can you name this symbol of our nation?
I can sing it out loud without hesitation.
"Oh, say can you SING..."
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

In 1892, our country celebrated the 400th anniversary of Columbus' arrival
to America. A minister named Francis Bellamy wrote a Pledge that honored our
country for this special celebration. It was printed in a magazine and sent to
children everywhere and today, you can hear it each morning in schools.
Can you name this symbol of our nation?
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Symbols, la, la, la, la
Symbols of America
Symbols, do, do, do, do
Symbols for me and you
Symbols, la, la, la, la
Symbols of America
Symbols, do, do, do, do
Symbols for me and you, red, white and blue

All across the country, all across the country
Nature wonders of beauty, natural wonders of beauty
They always move me, but what is their story?
Tell me

The Colorado River carved it five thousand feet deep
Its valley is like the desert; it's not a nice place to sleep
Millions of visitors every year
Come to Arizona to see it there
Tell me...
It's the GRAND CANYON

A source of irrigation; third longest one on the earth
Important for transportation; steamboats could travel North
Cities were built near them long ago
It drains into the Gulf of Mexico
Tell me...
It's the MISSISSIPPI and MISSOURI river system

They're around two thousand miles long
A Continental Divide
The start for many rivers; they run down its sides
Found in Montana, Washington, Idaho,
Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado
Tell me...
It's the ROCKY MOUNTAINS

Twenty percent of fresh water on the surface of the world is here
Ten thousand five hundred miles; that is how much shoreline is there
Check a map and five you will see
Superior, Huron, Ontario, Michigan and Erie
Tell me...
It's the five GREAT LAKES

Each year there are millions of people that come to see this
If you're ever in upstate New York, this water spectacle you should not miss
The river that this falling water feeds
Is the world's greatest source of hydroelectricity
Tell me...
It's NIAGARA FALLS

All across the country, all across the country
Nature wonders of beauty, natural wonders of beauty
They always move me; to know them is your duty
Oh, really, Yes, really...
Oh, really, Yes, really...
Oh, really, Yes, really...
Yes, you really should go to these places

Pledge of Allegiance - music sample - Poem by Francis Bellamy

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

A pledge is a promise that we make
An agreement or a vow that we take
Allegiance means being loyal to something
Forever, forever

Pledge of Allegiance, a promise that we make

A republic is a country with elected leaders;
A nation of people with one government
Indivisible means we cannot be divided
Stay together, we'll stay together

Pledge of Allegiance, a promise that we make

Liberty means we have freedom to do
Most anything thing that we want to
Justice means that we try to be fair
To make things better, better

Pledge of Allegiance, a promise that we make
Pledge of Allegiance, we're loyal to our states
Pledge of Allegiance, our country is so great
Pledge of Allegiance

The government that oversees the land of the free
Has separation of power; it's divided in three
Uses checks and balances most responsibly
The balance of the power is what protects you and me

What do the House of Representatives do
Along with one hundred Senators, too?
They make up new laws for me and you
And they can override a presidential veto, too
Which branch of government makes the law?
What's this branch of government called?
IT'S THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

Nine appointed judges on the Supreme Court's bench
The President picks them out, but the Senate votes them in
They decide if the laws of our land are still fair
They're the court of last resort; the final interpreter
Which branch of government interprets the law?
What's this branch of government called?
IT'S THE JUDICIAL BRANCH.

The leader of the military and the police
Is the president, whose job it is to keep the peace
Enforcing the laws makes him commander in chief
He'll make difficult choices if it will keep you safe
Which branch of government enforces the law?
What's this branch of government called?
IT'S THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

Just to be clear; we're not talking about a tree branch!

The Legislative Branch is good at making the laws
And the Judicial branch makes sure the laws have no flaws
The Executive Branch is who enforces it all because
Balanced, but separate powers are good for us all

Legislative, judicial, executive
Checks and balances - a good way to live.
Legislative, judicial, executive
Checks and balances - a good way to live...

Washington DC, our nations capital, a federal city
Washington DC, is where the president and the government
Help to make history
So let's explore the city a little more

(Alright, now we're gonna find out who really does their homework!)

They started to build it 1792
It's on the $20 bill, has a bowling alley too
It's a symbol of our nation
Every President's lived there except George Washington
It has 35 bathrooms and an Oval Office
Can you guess where I'm talking about?
It's the WHITE HOUSE

With two shades of marble, it looks kind of funny
'Cause they started to build it and ran out of money
When the Civil War came, it almost didn't get done
It took a hundred long years to add its pyramid top
555 feet seemed like a good place to stop
Can you guess where I'm talking about?
That would be the WASHINGTON MONUMENT

His most famous words are engraved on the walls
It has some spelling mistakes, I count 11 in all
This monument honors our 3rd President
The 26 columns and a smooth surface dome
Were built it to look like his Monticello home
Can you guess where I'm talking about?
I'm gonna have to go with the JEFFERSON MEMORIAL

Washington DC, our nations capital, a federal city
Washington DC, is where the president and the government
Help to make history
So let's explore the city a little more

It's the symbol of our great government home
108 windows are in its dome
It's where the Senate and the House of Representatives meet
It has been burnt, rebuilt, extended and restored
The House works in the south wing, and the Senate in the north
Can you guess where I'm talking about?
Sounds like the US CAPITOL to me

It's where the Congress goes when they need research done
It's the largest one of these in the world
29 million books on 530 miles of bookshelves, oh my goodness!
2.7 million recordings, 12 million photographs
4.8 million maps, 57 million manuscripts
That's a lot of stuff!
Can you guess where I'm talking about?
Wow! It's the LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Our 16th President is honored here;
A statue of him sitting in a chair
The Gettysburg Address is carved on the walls
56 steps stand for his age when he died
36 columns stand for the 36 states at the time
Can you guess where I'm talking about?
That would be the LINCOLN MEMORIAL

Washington DC, our nations capital, a federal city
Washington DC, is where the president and the government
Help to make history
So let's explore the city a little more

What's the Bill of Rights and what does it say?
Why memorize the Bill of Rights today?
The first 10 Amendments are just good to know
Freedoms that we have is exactly what they show

You can get together with whoever you want to
And talk about whatever you'd like
You can say it in a church or you can say it outside
Or maybe just think about it for life
The First Amendment says that you can think or say whatever's on your mind

There used to be a time before we had the police
And if you had a problem, you had to make your own peace
Owning a gun is what brought independence
That's why we've always fought so hard to defend this
The Second Amendment guarantees your right to own a gun, but not your right to pick a fight

An army is a necessary thing we are told
But where soldiers stay should never be in our homes
An intolerable act was how it was first described
The Third Amendment sums it up in just a few lines:
No one can make you bring war into your home

The things that you own and the places you keep them
Are nobody's business and no one can seize them
Not even a policemen can stop for no reason
Unless they're sure you've been out hurting innocent people
The Fourth Amendment says that no one has to put up with illegal search or seizure

If you're ever accused of committing a crime
And prove that you're innocent the very first time
You can't be brought back for trial after trial
after trial after trial after trial
The Fifth Amendment says you can't be tried for the same crime twice

If you ever get accused, you have the right to defend
And you shouldn't have to wait until eternity's end
To go to court, plead your case and put it to rest
The Sixth Amendment guarantees your right to this:
You have the right to a speedy trial and one that's fair

A jury of your peers is who decides your fate
If the laws of the land, you desecrate
King George's Stamp Act is why this right was put in
He'd put you in jail and for a trial you'd wait
The Seventh Amendment says you have a right to a trial by jury

Colonists remembered being punished too hard
By the King and the army under his charge
They stated that a punishment should truly fit the crime
And cruelty won't be tolerated any of the time
The Eighth Amendment calls for reasonable fines and humane punishment

The basic rights of people are things that exist
Even if the constitution makes no mention of it
Every person has value at the end of the day
That's really all the Ninth Amendment's trying to say

And...
The Tenth Amendment's the one that gives the states rights
When the Federal government should stay out of the fight
It's sometimes in question and up for debate
But it balances power in these United States

So why memorize the Bill of Rights today?
Because they're important, they're the American way!
American way
American way
American way...