America, I sing that you may rise...

America, I sing that you may rise
A newborn country, where the people reign,
And may your spirit soar above the lies
Of those who exploit the others' pain.

America, I see another you,
That's rising from the ashes and debris--
You're not a land of plenty for the few--
You're the spirit of democracy.

And when I look around and see hate
Inside the blind men's eyes who cannot see--
America, I say it's not too late--
America--the hope of the free.

We have a choice, we always had a choice
To love each other or to live for greed--
America, I hear your new voice
In this dark hour, when your people bleed.

And all the jingoists with their battle cries
Will use your name to wage their endless war,
America, this time they cannot lie--
America, this time you are much more!
 

                                                              September 22, 2001
                                             --Alexander Shaumyan