[Intro] (Spoken with epic guitar riff) In the heat of ‘76, Philadelphia’s callin’, Rebels risin’ up, the king’s crown is fallin’! [Verse 1] It started in the colonies, thirteen strong and proud, Taxation without voice, makin’ the people loud. Stamp Act, Tea Party, battles at Lexington, Concord’s shot heard ‘round the world, the revolution’s on. Second Continental Congress, meetin’ in the hall, John Hancock presidin’, answerin’ the call. Richard Henry Lee stands up, June 7th he declares, “These colonies are free,” the motion fills the air. [Pre-Chorus] Debate rages on, but the time is right, Form the Committee of Five, to write through the night. Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman, Livingston too, Tasked with the words that would make history true. [Chorus] We hold these truths to be self-evident, yeah! All men created equal, with rights heaven-sent. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, unbreakable chain, Breakin’ free from the tyrant, King George III’s reign. July 4th, 1776, the Declaration’s born, Independence rings out like a rockin’ storm! Sign it high, sign it proud, fifty-six brave souls, America’s freedom, let the liberty bell toll! [Verse 2] Thomas Jefferson’s quill, scratchin’ in his room, Seventeen days of draftin’, sealin’ Britain’s doom. Influenced by Locke and Paine, enlightenment’s fire, Listin’ grievances long, fuelin’ the pyre. No protection from laws, quarterin’ troops in our homes, Dissolvin’ assemblies, cuttin’ off trade to the bone. Franklin tweaks the words, Adams pushes the fight, From “subjects” to “citizens,” ignitin’ the light. [Pre-Chorus] Congress debates, July 2nd they vote yes, Independence resolved, no turnin’ back from this mess. Two more days of edits, polishin’ the decree, Removin’ slavery clause, to keep unity. [Chorus] We hold these truths to be self-evident, yeah! All men created equal, with rights heaven-sent. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, unbreakable chain, Breakin’ free from the tyrant, King George III’s reign. July 4th, 1776, the Declaration’s born, Independence rings out like a rockin’ storm! Sign it high, sign it proud, fifty-six brave souls, America’s freedom, let the liberty bell toll! [Bridge] (Guitar solo build-up) August 2nd they gather, quills in hand so bold, Hancock’s flourish first, big and uncontrolled. From Massachusetts to Georgia, delegates unite, Riskin’ lives for freedom, in the dead of night. Paine’s Common Sense inspired, the people’s cry, No more loyal subjects, under that monarch’s lie. [Verse 3] Printed by Dunlap, spreadin’ far and wide, Read aloud in squares, fillin’ hearts with pride. The king’s a despot, absolute tyranny, We absolve allegiance, sovereign and free. Influencin’ the world, from France to today, The blueprint for rights, lightin’ the way. [Outro] (Repeat chorus fade with ad-libs) We the people… rockin’ free! Declaration… eternity! July 4th forever… yeah!
