Song of Freedom by Robert Socha

We have a couple of holiday traditions in our home that give us a chance to tease one another throughout the year in anticipation of the Christmas season.

The first is no Christmas music until Thanksgiving Day. The kids have fun with me when they start singing a Christmas song in July and catch me humming along. Once I’ve recognized the error, playful scolding ensues with an immediate withdrawal of the tune emanating from my lips.

The second is classic Christmas movies throughout the month of December. Movies like White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and more recent examples, The Grinch, Elf, The Polar Express, Die Hard (there is an open-ended argument about that last one).

That list could continue for quite some time. One of the movies we watched this weekend that stirred conversation was Holiday Inn, starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astair. There is a song they sing when they do the skit for Independence Day, “Song of Freedom:” (1)

“Freedom, Freedom
That’s my song for today
Listen to this American troubadour
From the U.S.A

I’m singing a song of Freedom
For all people who cry out to be free

Free to sail the seven seas
Free to worship as we please
If the birds up in the trees can be free
Why can’t we?

I’m bringing a song of Freedom
To all people wherever they may be

Free to speak and free to hear
Free from want and free from fear
Sons of Freedom far and near who agree, sing with me
That all God’s children shall be free”

https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=HldLDqMQcQw

It was that last line when first heard that stirred my wife to begin the conversation. We used to sing about being free. We embraced it as a culture. It is a uniquely American ideal to have the audacity to sing so poignantly and welcome all people, including them in the avenue of liberty.

Songs like this inspire me to continue to write and speak about our Republic’s ideals, whose roots go back to Solon and Plato’s famous Greek societies, where we can trace the origins of our experiment.

When in the company of many people at a sporting event or meeting where we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, or the National Anthem is played, the emotion of the moment regularly expresses itself in a grateful tear streaking down my cheek.

Why does that emotion exhibit itself in such fashion? It is because I see the usurpation of those liberties continually encroaching on our lives, stifling our will to look to the future with hope.

So we have to dig deep and trust that the wisdom of the ages runs deep enough in the blood of Believers and Patriots to promulgate those freedoms sung about above. We have to raise our voices, contact our lawmakers, and expose those things we see contrary to the ideals of personal piety and magnanimity.

We must not capitulate to the incessant chatter quelling the spark which yearns to be free. We must not grow weary while doing good. We must take the time to know and understand why we believe what we believe and communicate those ideas to our circle of influence.

I am calling my elected officials (2) and reminding them that the rule-of-law is paramount and those who break it must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I am writing to encourage our President (3) to continue to run the race with endurance as if he will get the prize. I am looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, whose sacrifice on Calgary gives me Hope! I’m singing a song of Freedom, that all God’s children may be free!

1. https: //genius.com/Bing-crosby-song-of-freedom-lyrics
2. https: //www.usa.gov/elected-officials/
3. https: //www.whitehouse.gov/contact/