09 February 2009

America ... Pass It On

Transcript of song by Rob Quist and Jack W. Gladstone

This transcript of an audio file is used with permission. © 2003 Rob Quist and Jack W. Gladstone.

(begin transcript)

AMERICA…PASS IT ON
© 2003 Rob Quist and Jack W. Gladstone

It’s the dawning of a new day here in America;
A nation born of many peoples dreams.
We’re the stewards of the stories of those who came before;
The keepers of the mountains and the streams.
Captains Clark and Lewis and the Corps of Volunteers;
Their bones are buried in this sacred ground.
We pay homage to their western odyssey;
To the rivers and the trails that they found.
Pass It On, Pass It On,
Honor the spirit of this land they walked upon,
Hear the wild land’s healing song,
heed the gift that we’ve been given.
Pass It On.
The U.S. owes a mighty debt of gratitude;
One that we can never quite repay.
But for all the native peoples who gave of themselves;
So many would be lost along the way.
Our voices join together now in freedom’s song;
There’s counterpoint and harmony to know.
We are writing out the chorus of our nation’s song;
Learning from each other as we go.
Pass It On, Pass It On.
Honor the spirit of this land we walk upon,
(they walk upon)
Here the wild land’s healing song,
heed the gift that we’ve been given,
Pass It On...
Pick it up, Pack it out, Pass It On.

Pick it up, Pack it out, Pass It On,
use this little ditty for your working song.
Children will be proud of us when we’re gone,
America…Pass It On.
Pick it up, pack it out, Pass It On;
keep on keeping on and carrying on.
We’ve all inherited a common bond;
America… Pass It On.
Pick it up, pack it out, Pass It On;
Mother Nature’s own liaison,
Let the rainbow run, let the salmon spawn;
America… Pass It On.
Pick it up, pack it out, Pass It On;
use this little ditty for your working song
Children will be proud of us when we’re gone;
America… Pass It On.
Hear the wild land’s healing song;
heed the gift that we’ve been given...

(end transcript)