Had he been alive last night, I think this would have been the song he would have sung:

[BigBearJohn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No1_JzLULhM&feature=related

I was at a concert of his years and years ago...
Comedian Dick Gregory was "warming up" the audience
but he only served to anger the audience, yelling about
the war, the corrupt government, etc..

Then the curtains open and the stage is set with a campfire
and mountains behind. John Denver came on stage... and started
singing songs of "Poems, Prayers and Promises" and "Rocky Mountain High."
The 5,000 young adults who were ready to tear down the stadium, now
started swaying arm in arm... singing along with the melodies..

Then as the show ended and people clammered for an encore,
one solitary spot light shone down on the stage on an empty
stool.

John Denver came back on stage and began,
"You know -- there sure is a lot wrong with this country.
a lot of angry people blaming the government for everything...
and often with good cause...

"But one thing remains constant is the beauty of this country -- the beauty of the land...
the beautiful purple mountains, the boundless prairies... the
golden field of wheat.... and best of all, the people who made this country great.

"when I was a little boy of 5, my grandmother played a song
for me that I thought was the most beautiful song in the world, and I STILL DO!...
and if you'll let me -- I'd like to sing it for you right now.

With his angelic voice, he lets out the first few bars of 'America the Beautiful'
and then says, "sing it with me".

The most amazing thing happened... an angry crowd that wanted to destroy the
country was now on its feet, all 5,000 young adults, arm in arm, swaying together,
singing at the top of their lungs -- AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.
I was so choked up, I could sing a note.

I haven't felt that glorious feeling since then UNTIL LAST NIGHT when Obama accepted
the Presidency.

The song once again has meaning to me.

[susanna]

1. I so loved John Denver.

Ever since I was a little girl. Thank you for this wonderful link. :-)

[BanzaiBonnie]

2. I miss John Denver, Harry Chapin, John Lennon

They all gave us music that lifted us up.

[susanna]

3. Oh, I know. My iPod is a shrine to all of them.

It's amazing how music does become a soundtrack to our lives. :hi:

[BigBearJohn]

4. You're quite welcome. there's a story behind this song and Denver

[susanna]

5. Really? I was not aware of it. Do tell! :-) n/t

[BigBearJohn]

6. I thought I would share it with everybody, so I edited the original message.

[susanna]

7. What a lovely story!

And it confirms my gut feeling that to really reach Americans, you must INCLUDE them; not cavalierly dismiss them as "the other."

Thank you, BigBearJohn.

[BigBearJohn]

8. I'm glad you liked it It meant a lot to me living thru it.