Bob McCarty Writes

While serving as an Air Force officer in Japan 20 years ago, I had the privilege of seeing Lee Greenwood perform his hit song, “God Bless the USA,” at Kadena Air Base on the island of Okinawa.  Though I will always appreciate the original lyrics to the song, I recently concluded that they needed an update to coincide with the Tea Party Movement occupying such a large space on the political landscape.  Below are the updated lyrics:

It’s tomorrow, and I’ve lost the things
I worked for all my life
Now I have to start again
to feed my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
if I had any of ‘em left.
My flag’s flying upside down now
and my country’s in distress

Still I’m proud to be an American,
where I used to live life free.
And I won’t forget the men who tried
to take that right from me.

And I’ll gladly stand up,
Lock and load and restore her precious name
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the state of Minnesota,
where a clown can win a race.
Across the plains of Texas,
Yes, it’s still a sovereign state.

At the tea parties and the town halls,
our crowds were quite a sight.
And we each made lots of new friends,
who are ready for a fight.

Now I’m proud to be an American,
where I used to live life free.
And I won’t forget the men who tried
to take that right from me.

And I’ll gladly stand up,
Lock and load and restore her precious name
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Now I’m proud to be an American,
where I used to live life free.
And I won’t forget the men who tried
to take that right from me.

And I’ll gladly stand up,
Lock and load and restore her precious name
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Two days ago, I contacted Jerry Bentley, personal manager for Lee Greenwood, to find out (1) if the artist would consider re-recording his hit song with these new lyrics and (2) if I could obtain permission to record — or, more accurately, to have someone else record — the song with the new lyrics.  Within 30 minutes, received the following reply:

Sorry, but Lee will not re-record “God Bless the USA” for any reason.  Since writing the song in 1983, many requests have come to Lee for some form of re-record and the answer has always been the same, no interest.  Secondly, permission by Lee nor the copyright administrator will not be granted for a lyric change to be re-recorded by someone else.

Perhaps their minds can be changed.  If you would like to encourage Lee Greenwood to re-record the song — or allow someone else to record it — using the new lyrics, send an e-mail to Bentley at the following e-mail address:

jerry.leegreenwood (at) gmail (dot) com

I’ll keep you posted.

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