PatriotSongs

This video is dedicated to the memory of our fallen servicemen and servicewomen. It features music adapted and rearranged from the song "Goin Home" by William Arms Fisher. The video also contains rare color film footage and photographs of military personnel. The footage was taken during World War II and the Vietnam War. Additional footage depicts more recent conflicts. These include the Iraq War and the conflict in Afghanistan. The historic and rare color motion picture footage depicted was shot during the epic Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. Memorial Day commemorates our fallen members of the military. It falls on the last Monday in May. But, in truth, every day, not just one day a year, we should remember and honor the soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors who gave their lives for the United States. Without their sacrifices, America would not be a free country. Indeed, the willingness of prior generations of Americans to give up their very lives for our liberty should inspire us today. We must be vigilant. We must combat any attempts to curtail Americans' freedoms. No matter where such threats may emanate from. We must fight with our votes, our voices, and our wallets. On Memorial Day, we will be having barbecues and family get-togethers. At those events, let us all be mindful of more than just the hot dogs and the hamburgers. Let us resolve to do our part to preserve American freedom for our generation. And for generations yet unborn. Regarding the music in the video, William Fisher himself, in arranging the song, adapted themes from the second movement of Anton Dvorak's New World Symphony. That second movement is also commonly referred to as the "Largo." Interestingly, Dvorak intentionally composed the musical themes in the New World Symphony in the style of what he regarded as uniquely American music. Namely, African American "spirituals" and Native American music. In the video, the vocalist is Marc Berman. Berman also arranged the music (for strings and English Horn) and modified the original lyrics. The battle of Iwo Jima, depicted in the film featured in the video, cost the lives of nearly 7000 Marines. It took place in the Pacific theater. The battle ran from February 19, 1945 through March 16, 1945. Iwo Jima is one of the Japanese Volcano Islands. It lies about 750 miles south of Tokyo. The island is dominated by Mount Suribachi, 554 feet high. The mountain’s summit is where the famous flag raising depicted in the video occurred. That was on February 23, 1945. Tragically, several of the marines involved were later killed in the battle. Keep America Free! Note on copyright: “Goin Home,” was composed by William Arms Fisher (April 27, 1861 – December 18, 1948) in 1922. It was first published by the Oliver Ditson Company that same year. The "New World Symphony was composed by Anton Dvorak (September 8, 1841 – May 1, 1904). The Symphony was first performed in 1893. It was published the following year. Thus, both works are in the public domain. Likewise in the public domain are any musical arrangements consulted and /or utilized (with original modifications) in the video. All photographs, films and other graphical images appearing in the video are in the public domain, owned by this channel or lawfully used under a Creative Commons license/copyright waiver.

Free speech is under attack in America. Many people believe that there is nothing that the ordinary citizen can do about it. However, that is not true. This video gives practical advice on how regular folks can easily and effectively oppose this shocking trend. It seems that not a day goes by without a report of someone being “canceled” for merely expressing a "politically incorrect" opinion peacefully. Whatever your politics are, this should concern you. As far as your First Amendment right to free speech goes, it doesn't matter whether you love Donald Trump and dislike Joe Biden, or whether you voted for Biden and favored Trump’s recent second impeachment. It doesn't matter whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, a liberal or conservative, male or female, dark-skinned or fair-skinned. Your ethnicity or religion are also irrelevant. To those who are not concerned about this issue, consider that, while maybe today your views are acceptable to the powers that be; tomorrow, the whims of the elites may shift, and you may find yourself canceled. Indeed, history shows that many politicians who suppressed the free speech of their opponents later found their own free speech suppressed by their former allies. It used to be that Americans would say “I disagree with what you say, but I’ll fight to the death for your right to say it.” We need to get back to that ethos. The tips on how to preserve free speech in the video are set to the background of a performance of the patriotic standards “America the Beautiful” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” with an orchestral accompaniment. The posters depicted in the video were created by the United States Government during World War One and World War Two. They were used to inspire the citizenry to get behind the war effort. May we be similarly inspired today to stand up for our rights and freedoms against all who may threaten them. It goes without saying, of course, that all actions we take in this regard must be peaceful and lawful. The video specifies several good options that virtually anyone can undertake. Stay safe and free out there. Note on the music: I wrote and included in the video new “free speech” lyrics for the final stanza of the Battle Hymn. Here are the familiar lyrics to the first stanzas of both patriotic songs: “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored, He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword His truth is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on. “America the Beautiful” O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! Note on copyright: “America the Beautiful” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” are in the public domain, as are the musical arrangements utilized (with original modifications) here. All photographs and other graphical images appearing in the video are either in the public domain, owned by this channel or lawfully used under a Creative Commons license.