A Poem: The Preamble

I want to invite you to tune in today to Accent Radio Networks broadcast of Jerry Hughes's radio program, Conceived in Liberty (Saturdays at 4pm Pacific on Windows Media or ShoutCast). Today's show will be discussing American icons and symbols such as the Liberty Bell and the bald eagle. During his discussion, Jerry recited a poem that I thought was great. Wanting to post the poem here, I discovered a copy of it on the Schoolhouse Rocks website. I immediately smiled when the page loaded because of all the fond memories that came rushing back. The Schoolhouse Rocks series was a big part of my formative years. I hate to say it, but I watched a lot of cartoons after school and on Saturday mornings. Mixed in with those Saturday morning cartoons were the Schoolhouse Rock messages. Who can forget such classics as Conjunction Junction or I'm Just a Bill? Ah... Those were the good ol' days. Have a look around the Schoolhouse Rocks site, too.

 

The Preamble (Click here to listen to a short clip)  Hey, do you know about the U.S.A.? Do you know about the government? Can you tell me about the Constitution? Hey, learn about the U.S.A. In 1787 I'm told Our founding fathers did agree To write a list of principles For keepin' people free. The U.S.A. was just startin' out. A whole brand-new country. And so our people spelled it out The things that we should be. And they put those principles down on paper and called it the Constitution, and it's been helping us run our country ever since then. The first part of the Consti- tution is called the preamble and tells what those founding fathers set out to do.

We the people In order to form a more perfect union, Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, Provide for the common defense, Promote the general welfare and Secure the blessings of liberty To ourselves and our posterity Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. In 1787 I'm told Our founding fathers all sat down And wrote a list of principles That's known the world around. The U.S.A. was just starting out A whole brand-new country. And so our people spelled it out They wanted a land of liberty. And the preamble goes like this: We the people In order to form a more perfect union, Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, Provide for the common defense, Promote the general welfare and Secure the blessings of liberty To ourselves and our posterity, Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. For the United States of America...