AMERICA - Does your Schoolhouse ROCK?

It's been an interesting week that prompts me to create this Hub about American History (or at least a couple stories that have been told ;-) and the workings of the American Government.

This is a Presidential election year in the usa and my town happens to be hosting one of the party conventions so there is a strong political buzz going on in these parts. On Wednesday my son just showed me one of the websites he built for the convention.

Today I spent the day with his son, my almost 5-year-old grandson who was digging through my closet and discovered some old VHS tapes. (Sheesh! You would have thought he discovered a Gramaphone!) Yep! You guessed it! I have spent the day listening, over and over... to AMERICA ROCK

Why he locked onto that particular one is a mystery to me, maybe it's just in the air, but as he started singing along, and asking questions, I found myself trying to explain to a four and a half year old things that I'm pretty sure many adults have forgotten... or never caught in the first place.

So... I decided it would be fun to offer a reminder, in Schoolhouse Rock style, of how things were intended to work... with the hope of stirring my fellow Americans out of their complacency. Oh... and also simply for the FUN!

So here you'll find the lyrics as well as the videos of most of the songs...

The Founding of America

Rockin and a rollin, splishin and a splashin over the horizon what can it be? The pilgrims sailed the sea to find a place to call their own in their ship Mayflower they hoped to find a better home. They finally knocked on Plymouth Rock and someone said, "We're there! It may not look like home but at this point I don't care!"

Oh they were missin Mother England, they swore their loyalty until the very end. "Anything you say King, it's okay King, you know it's kind of scary on your own. Gonna build a new land the way we planned will you help us run it til it's grown?"

They planted corn you know, they built their houses one by one And bit by bit they worked until the colonies were done. They looked around, yeah, up and down and someone said, "Hurray! If the King could only see us now he would be proud of us today!"

They knew that now they'd run their own land. But George the III still vowed he'd rule them to the end. "Anything I say, do it my way now! Anything I say do it my way! Don't you get to feeling independent cause I'm gonna force you to obey!"

He taxed their property he didn't give them any choice. And back in England he didn't give them any voice. That's called taxation without representation, and it's not fair. But when the colonies complained the King said, "I don't care!"

He even has the nerve to tax our cup of tea. To put it kindly King we really don't agree. Gonna show you how we feel We're gonna dump this tea and turn this harbor into the biggest cup of tea in history.

They wanted no more Mother England They knew the time had come for them to take command "It's very clear you're being unfair, King no matter what you say we won't obey. Gonna hold our revolution now, King and we're gonna run it all our way. With no more Kings...

we're gonna elect a President With no more King He's gonna do what the people want No more King We're going to run things our way No more King No one is gonna tell us what to do!

Rockin' and a rollin', splishin' and a splashin' over the horizon what can it be? Looks like it's going to be... a free country

The Declaration of Independence

Ooh, there's gonna be fireworks (Fireworks!) On the Fourth of July (red, white, and blue!) Red, white, and blue fireworks Like diamonds in the sky. (diamonds in the sky!) We're gonna shoot the entire works on fireworks That really show, oh yeah, We declared our liberty 200 years ago.

Yeah!

In 1776 (fireworks!) There were fireworks too (red, white, and blue!) The original colonists, You know their tempers blew (They really blew!) Like Thomas Paine once wrote: It's only common sense (only common sense) That if a government won't give you your basic rights You'd better get another government. And though some people tried to fight it, Well, a committee was formed to write it:

Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Thomas Jefferson, They got it done (Oh yes they did!) The Declaration, uh-huh-huh, The Declaration of Independence (Oh yeah!)

In seventeen hundred seventy six (Right on!) The Continental Congress said that we were free (We're free!) Said we had the right of life and liberty ...And the pursuit of happiness!

Ooh, when England heard the news, (Kerpow!) They blew their stack (They really blew their cool!) But the colonies lit the fuse, There'd be no turning back (no turnin' back!) They'd had enough of injustice now But even if it really hurts, oh yeah, If you don't give us our freedom now You're gonna see some fireworks!

And on the Fourth of July they signed it And 56 names underlined it, And now to honor those first 13 states, We turn the sky into a birthday cake. They got it done (Oh yes they did!)

The Declaration, uh-huh-huh,

The Declaration of Independence (Oh yeah!)

In seventeen hundred seventy six (Right on!) The Continental Congress said that we were free (We're free!) Said we had the right of life and liberty ...And the pursuit of happiness!

We hold these truths to be self-evident, That all men are created equal. And that they are endowed by their creator With certain inalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

And if there's one thing that makes me happy, Then you know that it's (ooh) There's gonna be fireworks!

The Start of the Revolution

The British are coming! The British are coming!

Now the ride of Paul Revere set the nation on its ear And the shot at Lexington heard round the world. When the British fired in the early dawn the War of Independence had begun The die was cast, the rebel flag unfurled.

And onto Concord marched the foe to seize the arsenal there you know Waking folks, searching all around. Til our militia stopped them in their tracks at the old north bridge we turned 'em back We chased those Redcoats back to Boston Town

And the shot heard round the world, was the start of the Revolution The Minutemen were ready, on the move Take your powder, take your gun, report to General Washington Hurry men, there's not an hour to lose.

Now at famous Bunker Hill, even though we lost it was quite a thrill The Rebel Colonel Prescott proved he was wise. Outnumbered and low on ammunition, as the British stormed his position, he said, "Hold your fire 'til you see the whites of their eyes!"

Though the next few years were rough, General Washington's men proved they were tough Those hungry, ragged boys would not be beat. One night they crossed the Delaware, surprised the Hessians in their lair and at Valley Forge they just bundled up their feel

Now the shot heard round the world, was the start of the Revolution The Minutemen were ready, on the move. Take your blanket, take your son Report to General Washington We've got our rights and now it's time to prove

Well, they showed such determination that they won the admiration of countries 'cross the sea like France and Spain Who loaned the colonies ships and guns that put the British on the run and the Continental Army on it's feet again.

And though they lost some battles too, the Americans swore they'd see it through Their raiding parties kept up, hit and run At Yorktown the British could not retreat Bottled up by Washington and the French fleet Cornwallis surrendered, and finally we had won

The shot heard round the world To the end of the Revolution The continental rabble took the day And the Father of our country beat the British there in Yorktown and brought Freedom to you and me and the USA

God Bless America, Let Freedom Ring.

The Constitution

Hey... do you know about the USA? Do you know about the government? Can you tell me 'bout the constitution? Hey ey ey... learn about the USA

In 1787 I'm told our founding fathers did agree to write a list of principles for keeping people free

The USA was just starting 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 Constitution 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 USA 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 blessing 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.

The Pioneers Opening the West

One thing you will discover When you get next to one another Is everybody needs some elbow room, elbow room.

It's nice when you're kinda cozy, but Not when you're tangled nose to nosey, oh, Everybody needs some elbow, needs a little elbow room.

That's how it was in the early days of the U.S.A., The people kept coming to settle though The east was the only place there was to go.

The president was Thomas Jefferson He made a deal with Napoleon. How'd you like to sell a mile or two, (Or three, or a hundred, or a thousand?)

And so, in 1803 the Louisiana Territory was sold to us Without a fuss And gave us lots of elbow room. Oh, elbow room, elbow room, Got to, got to get us some elbow room. It's the west or bust, In God we trust. There's a new land out there... Lewis and Clark volunteered to go, Good-bye, good luck, wear your overcoat! They prepared for good times and for bad (and for bad), They hired Sacagawea to be their guide. She led them all across the countryside. Reached the coast And found the most Elbow room we've ever had.

The way was opened up for folks with bravery. There were plenty of fights To win land rights, But the West was meant to be; It was our Manifest Destiny!

The trappers, traders, and the peddlers, The politicians, and the settlers, They got there by any way they could. (Any way they could). The Gold Rush trampled down the wilderness, The railroads spread across from east to west, And soon the West was opened up for - opened up for good.

And now we jet from east to west. Good-bye New York, hello L.A., But it took those early folks to open up the way.

Now we've got a lot of room to be Growing from sea to shining sea. Guess that we have got our elbow room (elbow room) But if there should ever come a time When we're crowded up together, I'm Sure we'll find some elbow room...up on the moon!

Oh, elbow room, elbow room. Got to, got to get us some elbow room. It's the moon or bust, In God we trust. There's a new land up there!

The Ethnic Diversity of America (Immigration anyone?)

My grandmother came from Russia, a satchel on her knee My grandfather had his father's cap he brought from Italy. They'd heard about a country, where life might let them win They paid the fare to America and there they melted in.

Lovely Lady Liberty with her book of recipes And the finest one she's got... The great American Melting Pot, The Great American Melting Pot

America was founded by the English, but also by the Germans, Dutch and French The principle still sticks, our heritage is mixed, so any kid could be the President You simply melt right in... it doesn't matter what your skin.. it doesn't matter where you're from, or your religion, you jump right in to the great American melting pot. The great American melting pot. Who wants stew, red white and blue.

America was the new world, and Europe was the old America was the land of hope or so the legend told. On steamboats by the millions, in search of honest pay those 19th century immigrants sailed to reach the USA

Lovely Lady Liberty, with her book of recipes And the finest one she's got... The great American melting pot... the great America melting pot. What good ingredients liberty and immigrants.

They brought the country's customs, their language and their ways They filled the factories, tilled the soil, helped build the USA Go on and ask your Grandma, hear what she has to tell how great to be American and something else as well.

Lovely Lady Liberty, with her book of recipes and the finest one she's got... The great American melting pot!

Great American Inventors

Mother Necessity With her good intentions,

Oh, things were rotten in the land of cotton Until Whitney made the cotton gin. Now old times there will soon be forgotten For it did the work of a hundred men.

Mother Necessity, where would we be?

Mother Edison worked late each night. It went well until the fading light. Little Thomas Alva Edison said, "I'll grow up to be A great inventor and I'll make a lamp to help my mommy see, Wowee! What an excellent application of electricity!" He worked hard and pulled the switch. He was smart and very rich.

Mother Necessity, help us to see.

Now, the mother of Samuel Morse Always sent the lad out on a horse. "Take a message to Ms. Peavy on the far side of the pike; Spread the word about the quilting bee next Saturday night!" Little Samuel started thinking of a way to send a message, Though he never met a horse he didn't like. Uh!

Mother Necessity!

Elias, can you help me with my sewing? Mother dear, I'll fulfill your fondest wishes. Elias, how? This machine I've made will keep your sewing really flowing. In fact, we'll keep the whole nation in stitches. Ah!

Mother Necessity, where would we be?

Ring me on the Alexander Graham Bell. Thank you Alexander for the phone. I'd never get a date, I'd never get a job Unless I had a telephone.

Mother Necessity!

"Orville, Wilbur, go outside this minute, And there continue with your silly playing! Take these plans and take those blueprints. Take that funny looking thing, Take that wheel, take that wing, I can't hear a thing that Mrs. Johnson's saying. Orville! Wilbur! Come back, boys! Orville! Wilbur!"

Mother Necessity, where would we be?

When Robert Fulton made the steamboat go, When Marconi gave us wireless radio, When Henry Ford cranked up his first automo, When Samuel Slater showed us how factories go, And all the iron and oil and coal and steel and Yankee don't you know, They made this country really grow, grow, grow, grow, With Mother Necessity and where would we be Without the inventions of your progeny?

How a Bill Becomes Law

Boy: Woof! You sure gotta climb a lot of steps to get to this Capitol Building here in Washington. But I wonder who that sad little scrap of paper is?

I'm just a bill. Yes, I'm only a bill. And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill. Well, it's a long, long journey To the capital city. It's a long, long wait While I'm sitting in committee, But I know I'll be a law someday At least I hope and pray that I will, But today I am still just a bill.

Boy: Gee, Bill, you certainly have a lot of patience and courage.

Bill: Well I got this far. When I started, I wasn't even a bill, I was just an idea. Some folks back home decided they wanted a law passed, so they called their local Congressman and he said, "You're right, there oughta be a law." Then he sat down and wrote me out and introduced me to Congress. And I became a bill, and I'll remain a bill until they decide to make me a law.

I'm just a bill Yes I'm only a bill, And I got as far as Capitol Hill. Well, now I'm stuck in committee And I'll sit here and wait While a few key Congressmen discuss and debate Whether they should let me be a law. How I hope and pray that they will, But today I am still just a bill.

Boy: Listen to those congressmen arguing! Is all that discussion and debate about you?

Bill: Yeah, I'm one of the lucky ones. Most bills never even get this far. I hope they decide to report on me favourably, otherwise I may die.

Boy: Die?

Bill: Yeah, die in committee. Oooh, but it looks like I'm gonna live! Now I go to the House of Representatives, and they vote on me.

Boy: If they vote yes, what happens?

Bill: Then I go to the Senate and the whole thing starts all over again.

Boy: Oh no!

Bill: Oh yes!

I'm just a bill Yes, I'm only a bill And if they vote for me on Capitol Hill Well, then I'm off to the White House Where I'll wait in a line With a lot of other bills For the president to sign And if he signs me, then I'll be a law. How I hope and pray that he will, But today I am still just a bill.

Boy: You mean even if the whole Congress says you should be a law, the president can still say no?

Bill: Yes, that's called a veto. If the President vetoes me, I have to go back to Congress and they vote on me again, and by that time you're so old...

Boy: By that time it's very unlikely that you'll become a law. It's not easy to become a law, is it?

Bill: No!

But how I hope and I pray that I will, But today I am still just a bill.

Congressman: He signed you, Bill! Now you're a law!

Bill: Oh yes!!!

The real Schoolhouse Rock one...

The Judicial, Legislative and Executive Branches

Gonna have a three-ring circus someday, People will say it's a fine one, son. Gonna have a three-ring circus someday, People will come from miles around. Lions, tigers, acrobats, and jugglers and clowns galore, Tightrope walkers, pony riders, elephants, and so much more...

Guess I got the idea right here at school. Felt like a fool when they called my name, Talkin' about the government and how it's arranged, Divided in three like a circus. Ring one, Executive, Two is Legislative, that's Congress. Ring three, Judiciary. See it's kind of like my circus, circus.

Step right up and visit ring number one. The show's just begun. Meet the President. I am here to see that the laws get done. The ringmaster of the government.

On with the show!

Hurry, hurry, hurry to ring number two. See what they do in the Congress. Passin' laws and juggling bills, Oh, it's quite a thrill in the Congress. Focus your attention on ring number three. The Judiciary's in the spotlight. The courts take the law and they tame the crimes Balancing the wrongs with your rights. No one part can be more powerful than any other is. Each controls the other you see, and that's what we call checks and balances.

Well, everybody's act is part of the show. And no one's job is more important. The audience is kinda like the country you know, Keeping and eye on their performance.

Ring one, Executive, Two is Legislative, that's Congress. Ring three, Judiciary. See it's kind of like my circus, circus.

Gonna have a three-ring circus someday. People will say it's a fine one son, But until I get it, I'll do my thing With government. It's got three rings.