Virgin land of forest green, dark and stormy plains, here all life abounds
Sunlit valley, mountain fields, unseen in the rain, here all life abounds
No man rules this land, no human hand has soiled this paradise
Waiting patiently, so much to see, so rich in earth's delights

Painted desert, sequined sky, stars that fill the night, here all life abounds
Rivers flowing to the sea, sunshine pure and bright, here all life abounds
No man rules this land, no human hand has soiled this paradise
Waiting patiently, so much to see, so rich in earth's delights

So the maiden lies in waiting for the sails to reach the shore
Land of beauty and abundance, innocent, you opened wide your door
Wanderers found the waiting treasure, full of gifts beyond their measure
Milk and honey for our pleasure

Across the sea there came a multitude, sailing ships upon the wave
Filled with visions of Utopia and the freedom that they crave
Ravage, plunder, see no wonder, rape and kill and tear asunder
Chop the forest, plow it under

Highways scar the mountainsides, buildings to the sky, people all around
Houses stand in endless rows, sea to shining sea, people all around
So we rule this land, and here we stand upon our paradise
Dreaming of a place, our weary race is ready to rise


Lyrics submitted by kevver, edited by throwsand

Song For America Lyrics as written by Kerry A Livgren Kerry Livgren

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Song For America song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    Yep, and it's also referring to something else. "Rape, kill, and tear asunder, chop the forest, plow it under" refers to deforestation and the degradation of land.

    "Highways scar the mountainsides, buildings to the sky...Houses stand in endless rows, sea to shining sea" refers to the constant use of Earth's resources and beauty than it can reproduce. Every time I see a subdivision going up, I think of this song because the people from St. Louis (across the river. "Across the sea, there came a multitude...") come to live here and building companies that also have factories bring them to this paradise also decide to tear down trees to make way for land and if the land's not perfect, they degrade it even more with their cheap high-income housing and mansions. Makes me sick.

    JoeyRamone65on September 22, 2007   Link

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