America is hurt she's wounded and tired
Down on one knee but she has not died
Tears in her eyes she's wounded and sore
From the stones that were cast and they would do more
Her enemies are smiling as they rattle their swords
They think she is beaten and they gather in hordes
Some far away and some here at home
And it's sad to say some may be our own
The flag that she wore with honor and pride
is tattered a bit as it lays by her side
But slowly so slowly she's starting to rise
And she picks up that flag and looks at the skies
As her strength then returns she drops to her knees
And she prays out to God won't you help me please
Give me the wisdom to know when to fight
To honor your presence to know wrong from right
To follow your guidelines to honor your name
And God make our enemies drop their heads in shame
Restore us oh God to what we need to be
The land of the brave and the home of the free
One nation under God with justice for all
And Lord with your help let us never fall
To our friends and our foes let us proudly say
God is our refuge in the old U.S.A.
Billy Arrington is the poet laureate for Sweetwater Baptist Church in North Augusta.
