Generations Past
In generations past, America was good She founded her beliefs in God — as every nation should
Her laws were based upon His law, her value system, too
And more than words, “In God we trust,” became her motto true
In generations past, America was grand With open arms and torch held high, she welcomed every man The colors that she proudly waved united all her states With stars that stood for tolerance, and stripes of love, not hate
In generations past, America was great With “amber waves of grain” that promised food for every plate
And even ’midst the years of lean, her patriots still were there
Discovering strength and fortitude through faith in God and prayer
In generations past, America was pure She was “One nation under God,” established and secure
Her righteousness took root from holy seeds the pilgrims planted,
While her right to worship was a freedom she never took for granted
In generations past, America was true And quick to tell of God’s great deeds to generations new
In breathless wonder she’s recount, with great anticipation,
How men — inspired from above — took steps to build this nation
Oh, yes, this country then was good, ’twas grand, great, pure and true
But something changed her from the land our forefathers once knew
Now silently she just sits there and tells no one her story
and those who pass can scarcely guess as to her fame and glory
For generations passed, you see, and America no longer
Holds onto the hand of God that’s kept her safe and made her stronger
Those principles and high ideals by which she once avowed
Have one by one been compromised in deference to the crowd
How could we fall so far from God’s abiding grace? A nation that once served the lord now rarely seeks His face
Oh, that we once again would fall upon our knees in prayer
And, reaching out, discover that the Father still is there
Yes, He is there, prepared to take his prodigal back in If we would just in true humility confess our sin The time is now, America, to reclaim your liberty Turn back to God that He again might shed His grace on thee!
••• Editor’s note: Warren E. Foxworthy II is pastor of the Pea Ridge Nazarene Church and works at the Pea Ridge Community Library.