A brand-new song by country music superstar Toby Keith titled "Happy Birthday America" likely carries expectations of either unabashed pandering or unapologetic patriotism, depending on your political biases. Yet just as "Okie From Muskogee" didn't necessarily mirror Merle Haggard's core values for decades to come, pro-war lyrics from nearly 20 years ago about the Statue of Liberty shaking her fist (from "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)") don't mean that Keith's songs about truth, justice and the American way will always fit in a partisan box.
Indeed, Keith laments the state of the Union in song while venting his frustration toward both Democrats and Republicans.
"I live in the heartland and it just feels like everybody you talk to has the same worries," Keith told Fox News on the eve of the 4th of July holiday weekend. "It just feels like the politicians aren't getting the job done on either side and it just feels like the democracy is in danger."
The Oklahoma native wrote the song in July 2020 while enjoying fireworks on a boat.
"It had been a screwed up 18 months," he adds (as reported by The Music Universe). "I was seeing both sides having concern over the end of democracy. We've fought and divided almost to the point it's only about power and winning. Charlie Daniels had a song saying 'God save us all from religion.' And I'm thinking, God save us all from politicians."
Read More: Willie Nelson's "America the Beautiful": An Independence Day Classic
It's the third new single by Keith in a short span, following Brantley Gilbert and Hardy collaboration "The Worst Country Song of All Time" and Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd co-write "Old School."
"Happy Birthday America" Lyrics
Happy birthday America
It's the Fourth of July
I get to wake up in your freedom
But sometimes I wonder why
Seems like everybody's pissin'
On the red, white and blue
Happy birthday America
Whatever's left of you
You were the darlin' when you saved the world
WW I and II
France would just be part of Germany now
If it hadn't been for you
Now your children wanna turn you in
To something other than yourself
They burn your flag in their city streets
More than anybody else
Happy birthday America
It's the Fourth of July
I get to wake up in your freedom
But sometimes I wonder why
Seems like everybody's pissin'
On the red, white and blue
Happy birthday America
Whatever's left of you
Who they gonna count on
When you're not there to take their call?
Will the world keep right on spinnin'
Without the greatest of them all?
Without the helping hand of God
Your days are numbered, my old friend
We're sure gonna miss you, girl
You were the best that's ever been
Happy birthday America
All the broken-down cities
By the left's design
And the right can't seem to get it right
Most of the time
Every time I go to town and vote
I just come home with the blues
The lesser of two evils
All we ever get to choose
Happy birthday America
It's the Fourth of July
I'll get to wake up in your freedom
But sometimes I wonder why
Seems like everybody's pissin'
On the red, white and blue
Happy birthday America
Whatever's left of you
Happy birthday America
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