April 5, 1971
Page 9740
I AM DEMOCRACY – THE FRIEND OF MAN
HON. EDMUNDS. MUSKIE OF MAINE IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES Monday, April 5, 1971
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, there are many ways of expressing love of country – in song, story, deed, and verse. One such patriotic verse has recently been called to my attention.
Entitled "I Am Democracy – The Friend of Man," the poem, composed by Sol Mann of Redondo Beach, Calif., is an appropriate reminder of some of our basic national ideals. I ask unanimous consent that the text of Mr. Mann's poem be printed in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the poem was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
I AM DEMOCRACY – THE FRIEND OF MAN (By Sol Mann)
Destroy me if you can,
You lost, confused, unhappy man.
Destroy everyone in this
Wide, wide land,
But still try to destroy me if you can.
I cannot be killed how e'er you try,
I shall always, always remain alive.
For I am the heart-beat of this land,
I am Democracy, the friend of man.
My strength lies in the lives of men,
Who sacrifice for this great plan,
My heroes many, with ideals supreme,
Gave Democracy its memorable dream.
A dream of right and love for all,
This above else should be our call.
No man too great, no man too small.
All for one, and one for all.
This is America, and its plan,
So destroy me if you can, you lost, confused, unhappy man.
Destroy me with lies, bigotry and hate,
And even these I'm able to take.
For this stream of right and love will prevail,
In spite of history's constant wails.
Yes, America is the land, and America is the plan.
So destroy me if you can, you lost, confused, unhappy man.
I cannot be killed, how e'er you try,
I shall always, always remain alive.
For I am the heart-beat of the land.
I am Democracy, the friend of man.