July 4 Thanksgiving

To friends and family far and near 
And all others, you I cheer 
Deep gratitude for then and now 
Brave sacrifice that you allow
Upholding for my freedom 

Forgetting not what lies behind
New purposes in which we find 
Ourselves caught up to play a part 
I thank you for your gracious heart
You give to me in freedom 

This holiday we celebrate 
Memories reverberate 
And as we struggle on and on 
With gratitude for what’s been won 
I thank God, for you, and freedom