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Lee Greenwood, 'God Bless the USA' Rewritten by Massachusetts School, Much to Singer's Dismay

Darren Abate, AP

A version of Lee Greenwood's patriotic anthem, 'God Bless the USA,' has been pulled from a children's concert at Stall Brook Elementary in Bellingham, Mass., after being rewritten as 'We Love the USA.' According to WFXT-TV/Boston, school officials made the decision following outrage from parents, who didn't want their kids learning and performing the song without 'God' in its lyrics. The story is also a hot topic for Lee Greenwood.

"Maybe the school should have asked the parents their thoughts before changing the lyrics to the song," Lee says. "They could have even asked the writer of the song, which I of course would have said you can't change the lyrics at all or any part of the song. The most important word in the whole piece of music is the word God, which is also in the title 'God Bless the USA.'

"We can't take God out of the song, we can't take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance, we can't take God off of the American currency," he continues. "Let us also remember, the phrase 'God Bless the USA' has a very important meaning for those in the military and their families, as well as new citizens coming to our country. The song is played at every naturalization ceremony behind the national anthem. If the song is good enough to played and performed in its original setting under those circumstances, it surely should be good enough for our children."

The tune was slated to be included in an assembly on April 12, which will no longer have any performances. School officials said in a statement (via WFXT) that they will "maintain the focus on the original objective of sharing students' knowledge of the U.S. States, and because of logistics, will not include any songs."

The TV station reports that parents thwarted the change by sending a mass email raising awareness, and even instructing their children to perform the original lyrics.

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Joseph Dupont

If it took the Nomination of Obama to make his wife proud of America, what will it take to have Greta Hawkins do the same? Or is she just one angry women? Now children at Stall Brook Elementary School in Bellingham,Mass have been robbed of one of America's values. To worry about the words in "God Loves the USA" is like worrying about our children saying "One Nation under God" or our Police, Senators, Presidents, military and Supreme Court Justices saying:"So help me god"! But then again, these are same people who most likely despise: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." as stated in The Declaration of Independence! God save our children from the likes of these people!

June 12 2012 at 12:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chuck Snell

I am not a bible thumper but I'm glad they couldnt get away with this!

April 06 2012 at 8:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
grosseytoo

Thank GOD someone stepped in and said something This pc crap is out of control!

April 06 2012 at 7:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rmatt0338

Good for those parents!! Shame on the school officials!! It's time we Americans stand up for what is right and stop letting the "PC" crowd bully us around!!

April 06 2012 at 8:24 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
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