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George M. Cohan for July 4th

"I thank you and my family thanks you." That's the line attributed to George M. Cohan (pronounced Co-en). His family performed in Vaudeville together, and he featured them in his later works.
He was Irish-American. In the 1890's and early 1900's, the prevalent feeling was that American ingenuity and American determination could take you almost anywhere. George adapted that attitude into his own life and into the things he wrote.
This multi-talented man wasn't the best around. He wasn't a great musician, a great composer, or a great writer. He wasn't a great actor, or a great singer, or a great dancer. But he was good at each endeavor and prolific. And the public loved him. He kept setting higher and higher goals for himself. Achieving all of them, he eventually aimed to own a little bit of Broadway.
So here's to a great American entertainer!

Enjoy these verses:

You're a Grand Old Flag
by George M. Cohan

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy
by George M. Cohan

I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy
A Yankee Doodle, do or die
A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam
Born on the Fourth of July

I've got a Yankee Doodle sweetheart
She's my Yankee Doodle joy
Yankee Doodle came to London
Just to ride the ponies
I am the Yankee Doodle Boy


                                              Happy Independence Day!