The lyrics to Oklahoma Rising, written by Jimmy Webb and composed by Vince Gill (both Oklahoma natives) were finally released in full in a 90 minute production at the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City last night.
I'd like to hear how the music goes with the song before I make a judgement on whether I like it or not... The lyrics are good, mostly. Kind of vague and stretchy. I don't think it will be a hit with the country mainstream as I had hoped.
What do you think?
OKLAHOMA RISING
Chorus
We're Oklahoma Risin',
brighter than a star
Stand up and sing about her,
let the world know who we are
Verse 1
From a rugged territory to the Oklahoma Run
We've made our dreams come true,
just look at what we've done
We're the Heartland of America,
our heart is in the race
We've sailed our prairie schooners
right into outer space
We are young and we are strong,
we are comin' with a roar
Sooner than later we'll be knockin' on your door
Say hello to the future,
gonna shake the future's hand
and build a better world
upon this sacred ancient land
Chorus 2
We're Oklahoma Risin', brighter than a star
Stand up and sing about her
let the world know who we are
We're the sons and the daughters,
children of the West
We're Oklahoma Risin', risin' up to be the best
Verse 2
Guts and grace and mercy,
we have shown them in our turn
When the fields had turned to dust
and the skies began to burn
When the storm shook our souls
and the mighty buildings fell
Through fires and desperation
our faith has served us well
I choke back the emotion,
I'm an Okie and I'm proud
So when you call me Okie,
man, you better say it loud
Now we look into the heavens
at the eagle climbing free
It's the spirit of our people
on the wing, can you see?
Repeat chorus 2 twice
I'd like to hear how the music goes with the song before I make a judgement on whether I like it or not... The lyrics are good, mostly. Kind of vague and stretchy. I don't think it will be a hit with the country mainstream as I had hoped.
What do you think?
OKLAHOMA RISING
Chorus
We're Oklahoma Risin',
brighter than a star
Stand up and sing about her,
let the world know who we are
Verse 1
From a rugged territory to the Oklahoma Run
We've made our dreams come true,
just look at what we've done
We're the Heartland of America,
our heart is in the race
We've sailed our prairie schooners
right into outer space
We are young and we are strong,
we are comin' with a roar
Sooner than later we'll be knockin' on your door
Say hello to the future,
gonna shake the future's hand
and build a better world
upon this sacred ancient land
Chorus 2
We're Oklahoma Risin', brighter than a star
Stand up and sing about her
let the world know who we are
We're the sons and the daughters,
children of the West
We're Oklahoma Risin', risin' up to be the best
Verse 2
Guts and grace and mercy,
we have shown them in our turn
When the fields had turned to dust
and the skies began to burn
When the storm shook our souls
and the mighty buildings fell
Through fires and desperation
our faith has served us well
I choke back the emotion,
I'm an Okie and I'm proud
So when you call me Okie,
man, you better say it loud
Now we look into the heavens
at the eagle climbing free
It's the spirit of our people
on the wing, can you see?
Repeat chorus 2 twice
I let you know how that goes...