Kansas › Lyrics › Song for America

Virgin land of forest green
Dark and stormy plains, here all life abounds
Sunlit valley, mountain fields
Unseen in the rain, here all life abounds

No man rules this land
No human hand has soiled this paradise
Waiting patiently, so much to see
So rich in earth's delights

Painted desert, sequined sky
Stars that fill the night, here all life abounds
Rivers flowing to the sea
Sunshine pure and bright, here all life abounds

No man rules this land
No human hand has soiled this paradise
Waiting patiently, so much to see
So rich in earth's delights

So the maiden lies in waiting
For the sail to reach the shore
Land of beauty and abundance
Innocent, you opened wide your door

Wanderers found the waiting treasure
Full of gifts beyond their measure
Milk and honey for our pleasure

Across the sea there came a multitude
Sailing ships upon the wave
Filled with the visions of Utopia
And the freedom that they crave

Ravage, plunder, see no wonder
Rape and kill and tear asunder
Chop the forest, plow it under

Highways scar the mountain side
Buildings through the sky, people all around
Houses stand in endless rows
Sea to shining sea, people all around

So we rule this land
And here we stand upon our paradise
Dreaming of a place
Our weary race is ready to arise