Should a citizen pledge allegiance to a nation if the nation is turning away from values the citizen believes in? Michael wrote Allegiance to wrestle with this question. The song visits the underbelly of our country’s history as well as its soaring promise, and serves as a rallying cry to return America to its foundational values.
lyrics
i was beach town boy, playing beside the water,
bombs went off and destroyed, a place i’d never heard of
you turned against me in your fear,
though i’d lived by you for years,
left the japanese in tears
you took my mother, my father, you took my home, america
we came from far away, a land of many sorrows,
we journeyed many days, harkening for tomorrow
you welcomed us with arms outspread,
our children grew above our heads,
we died with nothing left unsaid
you were our mother, our father, you were our home, america
engine of spark and time, keeper of all our stories
slaver and freedom’s shrine, song of despair and glory
forged in the courage of our start,
cut when we fail and fall apart,
still you remain the beating heart
you are our mother, our father, you are our home, america
if in a darkened hour, those who don’t comprehend you
come with divisive power, we will rise to defend you
to keep you pointed to the spacious skies
we’ll hold the line, we’ll hold the line,
we’ll hold the line. We’ll hold the line. We’ll hold the line
i pledge allegiance to the top of the sunlit mountain
to all the people who, come forward to be counted
who hold with honor, kindness, freedom’s ring
we stand with you, we stand with you
And always you, and always you, and always you
we’re reaching for america
we’re walking toward america
we’re bringing forth america
credits
from Kinship,
released October 11, 2019
written by Michael Hayashida
Dennis Boyd - bass, vocals
Julia Edwards - accordion, vocals
John Gunn - banjo, cajon
Michael Hayashida - lead vocals, guitar
Erin Sampson - vocals
recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jud Caswell
produced by Jud Caswell and Bold Riley
recorded at Frog Hollow Studios in Brunswick, ME
Bold Riley started as a simple music project among friends in a barn in Norway, Maine and quickly gained momentum thanks to
the group’s unbridled enthusiasm and commitment to bringing joyful acoustic folk music to the greater community. All members take turns singing lead, and songs range from classic protest folk favorites to unlikely covers to rousing originals....more
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