This Is My Country
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do do do
Some people think we don't have the right
To say it's my country
Before they give in, they'd rather fuss and fight
Than say it's my country
I've paid three hundred years or more
Of slave driving, sweat, and welts on my back
This is my country
Do do do
Do do do
Too many have died in protecting my pride
For me to go second class
We've survived a hard blow and I want you to know
That you'll face us at last
And I know you will give consideration
Shall we perish unjust or live equal as a nation
This is my country
Do do do
Do do do
And I know you will give consideration
Shall we perish unjust or live equal as a nation
This is my country
Do do do
Do do do
Do do do
The Impressions' song "This Is My Country" is a powerful statement of pride and ownership in one's country, but also a challenge to those who seek to deny equal rights and opportunities to the marginalized and oppressed. The song opens with a simple refrain of "do do do," establishing a repetitive and hypnotic rhythm that reinforces the message of unity and solidarity that follows. The first verse confronts the notion that some people believe that certain groups do not have the right to claim their country as their own, and instead prefer to engage in divisive and destructive behavior rather than acknowledge the shared history and identity of the nation. The singer, however, asserts that he and his people have paid a steep price for their place in America, enduring centuries of slavery, exploitation, and violence. Despite this, he declares that this is indeed his country, and he will not be denied his rightful place within it.
The second verse of the song takes a more confrontational tone, as the singer challenges those who would deny him his dignity and worth. He acknowledges the sacrifices made by countless people in the fight for freedom and equality, and asserts that he will not accept anything less than full and equal recognition as a citizen of his country. The final verse repeats the call for consideration and equality, pleading with those who hold power and privilege to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of all people. The repetition of the "do do do" refrain serves as a rallying cry, emphasizing that the struggle for justice and equality is ongoing and requires constant effort and dedication.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people think we don't have the right
There are those who believe we do not have the privilege of calling this land our own
To say it's my country
They refuse to acknowledge our claim to this land
Before they give in they'd rather fuss and fight
They would rather engage in conflict than concede to our rightful ownership
Than say it's my country
Instead of acknowledging that this land is rightfully ours
I've paid three hundred years or more
We have endured 300 years or more of slavery, hard labor, and physical abuse
Of slave driving, sweat, and welts on my back
We have suffered through servitude, exertion, and physical punishment
This is my country
But despite all this, this land is still our rightful homeland
Too many have died in protecting my pride
Numerous lives have been lost while protecting our dignity as a people
For me to go second class
We cannot settle for being treated as second-class citizens
We've survived a hard blow and I want you to know
We have endured significant hardships, and I want to make it clear
That you'll face us at last
Those who did us wrong will ultimately have to face the consequences
And I know you will give consideration
I hope you will take a moment to think about
Shall we perish unjust or live equal as a nation
Whether we will be destroyed by injustice, or allowed to thrive as equals in this nation
This is my country
Regardless of what has transpired in the past, this land is still our homeland
Do do do
Instrumental
Do do do
Instrumental
Do do do
Instrumental
Do do do
Instrumental
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@louigi82048
Acts 17:22-31 (NIV2011)
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.
25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.
30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
This I must post because the truth will set history straight. GOD informed us that from Adam and Eve He created all the Nations of the world. All races of people were created in the first two parents. Our existence is in GOD. And all races of peoples came from Him. We are all related to one another! But this you won't believe because you don't believe in GOD or His word. One day I am going to be challenged to defend what I have been led by the Spirit of GOD to believe. And my reward will be death at the hands of men who challenge the sovereignty GOD. But my reward at the hands of GOD will be eternal life. Mankind is not greater than GOD. He is a direct creation of GOD. And I find great consolation in the fact that GOD will one day come and give me consolation from the beliefs of men. "Yes, GOD is real and alive."
@thurtletoncrackwinnet1779
Some people think we don't have the right To say it's my country
Before they give in, they'd rather fuss and fight Than say it's my country.
I've paid three hundred years or more.
Of slave driving, sweat, and welts on my back This is my country.
Too many have died in protecting my pride.
For me to go second class.
We've survived a hard blow and I want you to know. That you'll face us at last.
And I know you will give consideration l.
Shall we perish unjust or live equal as a nation.
This is my country.
And I know you will give consideration
Shall we perish unjust or live equal as a nation This is my country
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Curtis Mayfield
@jeanwiggins5765
"EVERYONE" IN OUR CULTURE NEEDS TO LISTEN TO THIS SONG TODAY AND REMEMBER THOSE WHO SUFFERED AND DIED FOR ALL OF US AS BLACK PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY TO HAVE FREEDOM.
@teredude
What about us other folks with soul.
@williamjones7247
YES MA'AM!!! AMEN!!!
@williamjones7247
@Terrance Fields
Then join the group that's fought the longest and hardest for equality AND justice (Civil Rights, BLM etc) and don't support police murders of Black Americans by making racist dumb comments as: "he was a criminal/drug addict/thug anyway so he deserved to die" crap comments so many "who claim to be for equality".
That's a starting point for all who are not Black Americans who believe they GOT SOUL!!! LOL...pass that fire...then you'll have crossed over into the late John Lewis territory.✌✌
@EcnalKcin
You do realize that the vast majority of people that fought and died for black people to be free were white, right? I mean if you were trying to say that people need to remember that, I 100% agree.
@robertjohnson-er4rp
It shouldn't have been like that in the first place.
@rokrok60
I vividly remember this song while growing up as a child during the Vietnam War/civil rights movement era. My parents had played it often. Many of The Impressions’ songs were about the struggles of the 1960’s.
@adriennerobinson1180
Truth Indeed AMEN
@888bjxjs888
This is more relevant today than ever. Timeless message of strength, power and dignity.
@jeffrp73
In light of everything going on in the world, this is more relevant than ever. Peace to you Mr. Mayfield.