1. RED, WHITE & RAISED Intro Yeah Turn that flagpole into a lightning rod Whiteside This ain't about a politician This about the land The people The freedom Hook Red, white, blue, that's the flag I claim Raised on hard work, built a stubborn name Stars in the sky, dirt underneath my boots Freedom in my chest, that's the American truth Red, white, blue when the midnight falls Still stand tall when the whole world calls I don't need permission, I don't need applause I love this country while I question its flaws Verse 1 I was raised on pavement, gravel, sweat and gasoline Old pickup coughing smoke underneath the summer heat Daddy said a paycheck means more when you earn it Mama said your word means more when you confirm it So I learned real early keep my hands on the wheel Keep my head on straight and make the vision real Ain't nobody coming just to hand me a throne Had to build every brick and call the damn thing home Stars and stripes flying over houses down the street Flag gets faded but the meaning stays complete From the factory worker punching clocks at six To the farmer putting food on everybody's dish This country's more than buildings, borders, laws and suits It's the waitress working doubles, miners digging through the roots It's the kid with a dream and a busted pair of shoes It's the veteran carrying memories nobody knew Verse 2 Politicians talk polished while they promise us change Then disappear backstage when the pressure gets strange I don't worship parties, I don't kneel to a name Democrat, Republican, power plays the same game Give me somebody honest enough to say they're wrong Give me somebody strong enough to stand when it's gone I can love my country and still challenge the state That's the point of being free, don't confuse it with hate You can criticize America, I'll still defend the right That's the contradiction that makes liberty bright We ain't perfect, never claimed that we were But perfection ain't required for a homeland to matter The mistakes belong in history, the lessons gotta stay You don't erase the darkness by pretending it's away You face it, learn from it, build something new Then hand that better future to the people after you Bridge So raise it up Let the stars burn bright Not because we're perfect Because we keep trying That's my country That's my home That's the place I call my own Hook Red, white, blue, that's the flag I claim Raised on hard work, built a stubborn name Stars in the sky, dirt underneath my boots Freedom in my chest, that's the American truth Red, white, blue when the midnight falls Still stand tall when the whole world calls I don't need permission, I don't need applause I love this country while I question its flaws Outro Whiteside America ain't a costume It's a responsibility
