This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
If tomorrow all the things were gone
I worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife
I thank my lucky stars
To be living here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can't take that away
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota
To the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas
From sea to shining sea
From Detroit down to Houston
And New York to L.A.
Where's pride in every American heart
And it's time we stand and say
That I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
I worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife
I thank my lucky stars
To be living here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can't take that away
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota
To the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas
From sea to shining sea
From Detroit down to Houston
And New York to L.A.
Where's pride in every American heart
And it's time we stand and say
That I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
Lyrics submitted by ManicGypsy
God Bless the U.S.A. Lyrics as written by Lee Melvin Greenwood
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I tryed all day on the 4th to add this song, and something was wrong and wasn't letting me add a new artist, but I finally got it added. I think that everyone knows the meaning of this song.
every time i heard this song since 9/11 it has brought a tear to my eye
after 9/11, this song garnered new meaning for me....i'd listen to it on the 4th of july and that was it, now when i listen to this song i cry every time....
thankyou so much manicgypsy for adding this song....i was at a race and they cut off all the lights at the track and played this song to candle light...it was so pretty...this song is very meaningfull and it brings a tear to my eye too.
i'm not from the USA but i heard it on american idol...i can see how much it really means to those of u who are...and it's really nice too. the lyrics are very powerful. i bet if i were an American, i'd be in tears whenever i hear this song ;)
normstore, you can shut up. i serve this country today in the army. i fight for you everyday . so you suck, not this song.
thank you for serving this country because without you i wouldn't have my freedom i love this song because without you and everybody else i wouldn't have my freedom
Army132: I appreciate your service to this country, but I think your hostility towards me based on my opinion of Mr. Greenwood and his song is misguided. As you are serving in the Army, I can trust that you are bright enough to notice the hypocrisy in Lee Greenwood's lyrics based on his actions during the Vietnam War.
Why do you suppose he sings that he would "gladly stand up next to you" when he didn't do so when he had that opportunity? Is he a liar?
You state, "I fight for you every day . so you suck...". Your service and whether or not I suck are in no way related. And, since you say you fight for me, I assume that you are not in Iraq, because as you know, Iraq never posed a danger to our country. If anyone, you should be fighting for your buddies. Keep each other safe.
hahhahhah
"And, since you say you fight for me, I assume that you are not in Iraq, because as you know, Iraq never posed a danger to our country. If anyone, you should be fighting for your buddies. Keep each other safe."
thank you at least someone in this country has a brain.
Lee Greenwood stated:
"It angers me when I hear this. I never served in the military because I had children at the age of 17. I was given classification A3. The draft never got to that #. If it had, like my father, I would have left my wife and children to fight and die if necessary for my country."
snopes.com/music/artists/greenwood.asp