Kansas – Song For America
A song written by Kerry Livgren
Artist: Kansas
Album: Song For America
Year: 1975
Lyrics:
Virgin land of forest green
Dark and stormy plain
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
Pull the sailor into 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 mountainside
Buildings to the sky
People all around
Unsustaining in these roads
See an eternity
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 arise
Duration : 0:9:17
[youtube FC-JhQ1p7nw]
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
One of Kansas’ best …
One of Kansas’ best. How many who know Kansas have even heard of this?
How many who have, agree with me?
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
CLASSICO ROCK.
CLASSICO ROCK.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
holy shit!
first …
holy shit!
first time ive seen kansas.. amazing!!
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
@macizo25 I …
@macizo25 I have always heard the influence of those 2 bands in particular when listening to early Kansas. Good call IMO! Not as polished as either but definitely influenced.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
I’m a pretty big …
I’m a pretty big classic-prog fan, but never knew the full potential of Kansas until this past Friday, where I spent a few hours searching for Kansas songs that I haven’t listened to (I own Leftoverture, Point of Know Return, and a greatest hits album). Holy shit! I never knew they had THAT much awesome material. Excellent band, so many of their songs can make you cry. And for all of you fans… they’re touring!!!
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Progressive Rock …
Progressive Rock classic!
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Fab Prog Rock, if I …
Fab Prog Rock, if I could listen to it!!!!!
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
@Scottwax I was a …
@Scottwax I was a big Triumvirat fan,I think I still have two albums,sadly I don’t think they’re available on cd.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
@phaobr2 Hello …
@phaobr2 Hello from Mexico !! I really love prog rock !
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
The effects are …
The effects are just amazing.
Is this progressive rock?
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
@macizo25 That’s …
@macizo25 That’s what I always think when I listen to this song.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Kansas is badass. I …
Kansas is badass. I used to listen to it while reading my sword and sorcery novels ala Robert E. Howard’s Conan (back in the early 70’s before he was mainstream) and Leiber’s Fafhrd and Grey Mouser books.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
@barrron03 ( …
@barrron03 (sambucaron) Thank You, THANK YOU, thank you, I thought I was going nuts !!!
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
@SouthJerseyGuy1 …
@SouthJerseyGuy1 Correct. Their concert presentation reflects training, experience and sustained respect for actual musical competence that lesser acts just don’t have.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
@macizo25 …to a …
@macizo25 …to a degree, though the use of violin, the style of vocal harmonies (with two lead singers), and the boogie rock elements help distinguish Kansas from the others.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
…
Triumvirat-Spartacus is also terrific. Oddly enough, a friend who knew I liked Kansas and 70s Genesis is the one who recommended Triumvirat to me.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
After attending 800 …
After attending 800+ concerts since 1974,it occurred to me that my top 5 shows of all time fall into the progressive rock genre.Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, Supertramp and of course Kansas.I guess that’s where the true talent is when playing live.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
If you like this …
If you like this music you might also like Triumvarat- Illusions On a Double Dimple.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Yes, but Anderson …
Yes, but Anderson never went by the name Jethro Tull himself
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
True, but it’s …
True, but it’s Anderson’s band, so…
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Hi-larious!
Hi-larious!
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Newscaster13 –
…
Newscaster13 –
WLNE 6 (CBS at the time) used it for the “Channel 6 News” from 1981-1983. It was absolutely the worst theme music I’ve ever heard. As a side comment, I heard the actual song later in the mid-80’s when I was pulling an all-nighter in grad school. I literally though I was hallucinating!
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
this really sounds …
this really sounds like some Genesis and Yes early years with american vision
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
British
British
June 24th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Jethro Tull is the …
Jethro Tull is the name of the band, not the guy.