Music acts as a source of entertainment, a means of celebration, a therapeutic remedy, a tool for inspiration or enlightenment, as well as a way to remember. This Memorial Day weekend, many American’s will be uploading patriotic songs onto their iPods and tuning their radios to songs that remind them of the freedoms and privileges we all enjoy. Brave military men and women defend these rights for us, and we are forever in their debt.
As Memorial Day approaches, let’s all remember those who have fallen to protect us. Remember to never take for granted the people who deserve our gratitude the most because, although we live in a free nation,
freedom does not come free.
Tim McGraw, American country music singer, has often expressed his gratitude to our military through benefit concerts, through his HomeFront program—which awards mortgage-free homes to veterans and their families—and through various songs he has recorded. May I suggest two songs by McGraw to add to your Memorial Day iPod upload list: “If You’re Reading This,” and “Keep on Truckin’.”
“If You’re Reading This”
McGraw’s song tributes families of fallen soldiers and peaked at number three on the Billboard country charts when released in 2007. McGraw joined together with The Warren Brothers to write this song after receiving inspiration from a magazine article on war casualties. Fans first heard McGraw’s song three weeks after it was written when he performed it live at the 2007 ACM Awards. At the end of his performance, 100 relatives of soldiers joined McGraw on stage. “If You’re Reading This” takes the form of a letter sent home from a soldier to his family—a letter only meant be sent if the soldier dies. McGraw sings,
“I’m laying down my gun, I’m hanging up my boots. I’m up here with God and we’re both watching over you…if you’re reading this, I’m already home.”
“Keep on Truckin'”
Okay, so this one isn’t exactly patriotic—at least not in the traditional sense of the word. But it does relate to Memorial Day. Earlier this week CBS helped McGraw and other country artists, like Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, and Toby Keith, pay tribute to and celebrate with America’s troops. During the Academy of Country Music’s All-Star Salute to the Troops, McGraw performed his new song “Keep on Truckin’.” McGraw sang this upbeat song, singing lyrics like, “put your arm out the window let your hand start surfin'” and,
“everybody’s goin’ through a little something-something, sing a little song with the guitar strummin’… keep on truckin’, keep on keeping on, keep on ridin’ down that rocky road your on.”
What does this have to do with Memorial Day, soldiers, and fallen heroes? Well, as McGraw reminded everyone at the ACM Tribute to the Troops, in order to fully honor those who have died defending our freedoms, we must be living life to the fullest. Through living out our dreams, being grateful for what we have, and grabbing our lives by the reigns, we truly show our soldiers how grateful we are for their bravery and service.
Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have often expressed their opinion on the importance of good and wholesome music. President David O. Mckay once said,
“Music is truly the universal language, and when it is excellently expressed how deeply it moves our souls.”
Anyone who has ever heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing their rendition of “Come Thou Fount” understands how music can truly speak to us as it “moves our souls.” For The Strength of Youth counsels members to carefully select music to listen to and pay attention to the feelings that come while listening. Music from many different genres can inspire, lift, edify, and move our souls.
This Memorial Day weekend, let’s join McGraw in celebrating the freedoms our troops defend. Le us remember those who have fallen, express gratitude to all who serve this great nation, and pray for the soldiers still deployed and their families back home.
