Age After Age

In celebration of July 4th and of the heroes whose shoulders we all stand upon ...

Age After Age
by Sandra McCracken

"on the edge of the river, the mighty Mississippi
two boys spent their summers on the banks by the levy.
when the waters broke and burst the dam
they were swallowed in a wave of sand.
they pulled the younger one out by the hand,
standing on his brother’s shoulders.

"one nation under God, young and proud she stumbled
with a trail of tears left by those who were outnumbered.
she said 'this land is your land, this land is mine,
unless you are an Indian'
but a higher ground we have tried to find
standing on their shoulders.

"and age after age heroes and soldiers,
it gives me sight and makes me brave,
standing on their shoulders.

"one man in the shadows of the whitewashed cathedrals,
he tried to pull the system through the eye of a needle.
to his conscience bound he would not recant,
for the freedom of the saints, and truth is truth is truth
and we are standing on his shoulders.

"and age after age heroes and soldiers
it gives me sight and makes me brave
standing on their shoulders.

"now to the ones left behind who are picking up the pieces
of planes, bombs and buildings, of innocence and evil
cause when the news and love and flowers die
and you still wake up alone,
there is a God who knows every tear you cry,
and this world is on His shoulders."