About OneSong250.life

Soldiers Died For My Freedom? (A poem/song by Wain)

[Intro]

Dear God,

Please tell me the truth about Freedom …

[Verse 1]
If I’m thankful for the soldiers
Who died to keep America free
Am I obliged to serve my neighbors
Or am I free to serve only me?

Didn’t soldiers die for my freedom
To care about only how I live?
Am I obliged to help the poor
Or am I free to never give?

[Pre Chorus]
When soldiers died for my freedom
They sacrificed for no selfish gain
If my freedom serves only me
Will those soldiers have died in vain?

[Chorus]
How should I be living, Lord
Since soldiers died for me?
Can I live just any way?
Are there rules to being free?

If freedom means obligations
To sacrifice and to give
Help me fulfill my duties, Lord
Please teach me how to live

[Verse 2]
If I’m thankful for the soldiers
Who died to keep our country free
Am I obliged to heal divisions
Or am I free to live separately?

Didn’t soldiers die for my freedom
To refuse any civil debate?
Am I obliged to love my neighbor
Or am I free to live by hate?

[Pre Chorus]
When soldiers died for my freedom
They sacrificed for no selfish gain
If my freedom destroys the union
Will those soldiers have died in vain?

[Chorus]
How should I be living, Lord
Since soldiers died for me?
Can I live just any way?
Are there rules to being free?

If freedom means obligations
To sacrifice and to give
Help me fulfill my duties, Lord
Please teach me how to live

[Verse 3]
If I’m thankful for the soldiers
Who died to keep my homeland free
Am I obliged to do what is right
Or am I free to do right for me?

Didn’t soldiers die for my freedom
To do anything that makes me glad?
Am I obliged to be righteous
Or am I free to do what’s bad?

[Pre Chorus]
When soldiers died for my freedom
They sacrificed for no selfish gain
If my freedom isn’t used for good
Will those soldiers have died in vain?

[Chorus]
How should I be living, Lord
Since soldiers died for me?
Can I live just any way?
Are there rules to being free?

If freedom means obligations
To sacrifice and to give
Help me fulfill my duties, Lord
Please teach me how to live

[Bridge]
America gives freedom
But my freedom has a cost
Grant me grace to be thankful
For the lives of soldiers lost

[Final Chorus]
How should I be living, Lord
Since soldiers died for me?
Can I live just any way?
Are there rules to being free?

If freedom means obligations
To sacrifice and to give
Help me fulfill my duties, Lord
Please teach me how to live

[Outro]
Thank you Lord for America’s Freedom

How should I be living?

Please tell me the truth …

Your servant,

Wain

(When you sing the song, please replace “Wain” with your own name, or stop at “Your servant”.)

A Poem Becomes A Song

Background. I am an immigrant who is deeply grateful to soldiers who sacrificed their lives so that I may enjoy freedom as an American. I am also a person of faith who writes letters to God in the form of poems wrestling with questions of life.

The Poem. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, I wrote the poem “Soldiers Died For My Freedom?” The poem is a letter to God asking how I should live if I’m grateful that soldiers sacrificed their lives for my freedom. While I did not receive a direct answer from God, many religious leaders across America encouraged me to accept the truth that freedom comes with responsibilities to serve our neighbors and our country.

The Conversion. I converted the poem to a song because I feel a calling to inspire and unite Americans with this message: Gratitude for soldiers who died for our freedom should move us to live lives of service. Music seemed a more powerful and engaging way to share this message.

My Goal. With your help, my goal is to inspire Americans to live lives of service, united in gratitude for the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. I have found that a life of service leads to a happier and more meaningful life. Imagine how much better our country would be if Americans young and old discovered the blessings of living lives of service.

I invite you to discover the blessings of service by making the pledge to use your freedom for good, and I welcome your honest feedback about your experience living a life of service.

Many Voices of America. One Freedom Song.

Help From A.I. With the help of A.I. software, I plan to present renditions of “Soldiers Died For My Freedom?” featuring my own voice in diverse musical styles from colonial-era hymns to modern rock. If you would like to hear “Soldiers Died For My Freedom? / How Should I Be Living?” recorded in a particular style not currently featured on this website, please send your request by email to wainwatkins@gmail.com

A General Invitation. I invite all Americans to join me in the fun: record your own voice on your phone or computer singing the song about freedom, and discover America’s rich musical styles over the past 250 years. When you get to the end of the song, replace “Wain” with your own name, or stop at “Your Servant”.

A Special Invitation. I extend a special invitation to professional singers and musicians to record your renditions of “Soldiers Died For My Freedom?” While A.I. technology allows ordinary people like me to do a big project like OneSong250.life, real, human singers and musicians are essential to continue the living, breathing American story that began with “We the People . . .”

Contact Me. If you agree with the song’s message, please join me. I need your help to spread the message that gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice soldiers made for our freedom should move us to use our freedom for good, in service of our neighbors and our country. Please send an email to wainwatkins@gmail.com

Disagree With Me? If you disagree with the song’s message, I would still love to hear how you answer the question: “How should I be living?” At a minimum, I hope that I have encouraged thoughtful reflection, meaningful conversation, and a deeper appreciation for the blessing of freedom in America.