Age After Age - Sandra McCracken

On the edge of the river, the mighty Mississippi

Two boys spent their summers on the banks of the levy

When the waters burst and broke the dam

They were swallowed in a wave of sand

They pulled the younger one out by the hand—

(from) standing on his brother’s shoulders

One nation under God, young and proud she stumbled

With a trail of tears left by those who were outnumbered

She said, «This land is your land, this land is mine, unless you are an Indian»

But a higher ground we have tried to find—

Standing on their shoulders

Age after age

Of heroes and soldiers

It gives me sight and makes me brave

Standing on their shoulders

One man in the shadow of the white-washed cathedrals

Weighed down by the system through the eye of the needle

To his conscience bound he would not recant for the freedom of the Saints

And truth is truth is truth

And we are standing on his shoulders

To the ones left behind who are picking up the pieces

Of planes, bombs, and buildings of innocence and evil

'Cause when the news and noise and flowers die

And you still wake up alone

There is a God who knows every tear you cry

And this world is on his shoulders

Age after age

Of all the heroes and the soldiers

So why am I so slow to change

When I am standing on their shoulders?

Age after age

Of (all the) heroes and soldiers

God, give me sight and make me brave…

As I am standing on their shoulders