A long, long time ago
I can still remember:
Being British used to make me smile.

And I was too young for a chance:
My dad kicked Frenchmen in the pants.
These colonies were happy for a while.

But House of Commons made us shiver
with every new tax they'd deliver.
Bad news through the nation
without representation.

I can't remember if I cried
when I heard five men in Boston died.
But something touched me deep inside
hearing... of Re... vere's ride.

So I, I am American guy.
I was British, now I'm skittish, and my powder is dry.
And good old boys, they don't drink tea, it's rye
singing, We shall be free or we'll die.
We shall be free or we'll... die.

Did Tom write a summary?
Did you hear speech of Patrick Henry?
If Virginians told you so?
And do you believe those Boston boys
threw tea-chests o'erboard like they were toys
and... was there one lantern or two, do you know?

Well, who knows whose shot was first unfurled
but it was heard around the world!
We fought at Lexington
and Concord, Brits got done!

I was a lonely lad with lots of bills
but Brit abuses gave me chills.
Fought at Bunker and Breed's hills
for free... dom we... all cried!

We were singing:
I, I am American guy.
I was British, now I'm skittish, now my powder is dry.
And good old boys, they don't drink tea, it's rye
singing, We shall be free or we'll die.
We shall be free or we'll die.

Now, for so long, we were on our own
the motherland left us alone.
But that's not how it now will be.

Well, that jester Lord North, he got mean
thinking he was France's Lou Fourteen
and our voice he ignored across the sea.

Oh, and while the King was going mad
didn't know the good thing that he had
we all got up in arms
George the Third unleashed his harms.

But on July 4th the bells all pealed.
For Jefferson's words we all squealed.
Our Declaration was revealed.
For free... dom we... all cried!

We were singing,
I, I am American guy.
I was British, now I'm skittish, and my powder is dry.
And good old boys, they don't drink tea, it's rye
singing, We shall be free or we'll die.
We shall be free or we'll die.

Felt our shelter in a summer swelter
collapse in New York from Admiral Howe's belter.
Scrambled through New Jersey fast.
Got through River Delaware
but made it back while unaware
were the Hessians sleeping off Christmas repast.

Now, we hung on, but ran out of supplies.
From disease and hunger, soldier dies.
Freezing at Valley Forge.
So now, what next, General George?

But old Washington, he thought it out.
Brought von Steuben, crafty Kraut.
At Monmouth Courthouse, led a rout.
For free... dom we... all cried!

We were singing,
I, I am American guy.
See the British, now they're skittish, 'cause our powder is dry.
And good old boys, they don't drink tea, it's rye
singing, We shall be free or we'll die!
We shall be free or we'll die!

Oh, and there we were, all in one place:
With our French allies, about-face!
We won't fight with Le Boys again.
So, come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick!
Blow out Cornwallis' candlestick!
'Cause fire from a cannon is our friend!

Oh, and as I watched through Yorktown's smoke
I saw a white flag, it's no joke.
No angel born in Blighty
could take that symbol lightly!

And as your fireworks soar into the night
on your July 4 big night
remember those who fought the fight
so free... dom's not... denied!

Join us, singing,
I, I am American guy.
Revolution, the solution, stars and stripes flying high.
'Cause freedom is something money can't buy.
So it might be right for you to ask why.
Might be right for you to ask why.

I met a man in Army blue
and asked, "We've won, now what to do?"
But he did not know what to say.

Beyond my life on God's green Earth
our freedom needed second birth.
So the man there, Mr. Lincoln, had to say.

And in the streets of Europe, screams.
They can't enjoy our freedoms' dreams.
But FDR had spoken.
The dictators were broken.

And the free men you admire most
it's been a long time, but hear our ghost:
The task, it now is yours to host.
Or in... vain we'll have... cried.

Your turn for singing:
I, I am American guy.
Revolution, institution, to maintain, we will try.
Those good old boys, they held their principles high.
So make sure our freedom will forever fly.
Make sure our freedom will forever fly.

Your turn for singing:
I, I am American guy.
Gentlemen and ladies, all be ready, your turn to try.
Those good old boys, they held their principles high.
Make sure our freedom will forever fly!