As we approach another presidential election, less than 120 days away, uncivil, dysfunctional behaviors continue to divide the nation. Each side blaming the other is never going to unite us.
As the rancor and divide between Americans increases, we need to stop focusing on our differences. The Fulcrum underscores the imperative that we find the common bonds of our humanity — those can, do and must bind us together.
There are many examples in the American Songbook that brought folks together in previous times of great strife and discord, including “Imagine,” “Heal the World,” “Love Can Build a Bridge,” “ The Great Divide ” and, of course, “ We Are the World.”
Presently, as political rhetoric and divisiveness grow worse than ever, The Fulcrum is offering a series featuring songs that we hope will unite us as a nation and remind us that our country stands on the founding premise that “We the People” can rise above divisiveness and gamesmanship. We will be featuring new songs that can inspire each of us to do our part and move our great nation forward, standing united.
The success of democracy rests on our abilities to harness the tensions of the day as we approach our differences as opportunities to learn and discover how to work together. This is the only way Americans will be able to fulfill our Constitution’s promise — namely the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For all.
To kick off the series, we’re featuring a new song in support of democracy by New York/Nashville recording artist/songwriter Candace Asher. It’s called “This Country Tis of Thee.” Asher is internationally and critically acclaimed for several top five hits and airplay in 12 countries during the early 2000s. Then, in 2021, she charted from home mid-pandemic with an independent No. 1 song called “Don’t Lose Heart.”
In support of her self-titled debut CD on Germany’s Taxim Records, Asher’s soulful Americana-pop-country blend took her all across Europe. Now, The Fulcrum is excited to support her artistry here in the United States. We hope you’ll enjoy “This Country Tis of Thee.” David L. Nevins, co-publisher of The Fulcrum, co-wrote the song’s lyrics. Mark Schaffel produced all the tracks and, together with Asher and Nevins, produced the video headed to Youtube.
A consummate survivor, Asher always encourages friends and fans to keep pushing onward through life’s tough times. She describes life as a healing journey. She believes people not only deserve to work hard to make it in life, but that they also deserve to love what they do so they can enjoy their life journey. Not easy.
Nevins was taken by Asher’s voice, lyrics and music in her racial-justice song “Don’t Judge a Heart by its Color,” written about a knifepoint rape that she survived. Before long, Asher and Nevins began co-writing “This Country Tis of Thee” late 2023. Says Asher: “Working on this tune with David meant the world to me. We both wanted to capture the importance of this profound American moment — one that we all must responsibly seize. It’s arguably the presidential election that’ll define this nation’s future.”
Morris Effron and Brian Clancy, co-founders of Citizen Connect (which, like The Fulcrum is a project of the Bridge Alliance), listened to the song. Their reaction:
“‘This Country Tis of Thee’ calls out to every American to express their patriotism through positive action. Don’t sit on the sidelines: Don’t wait to get started. Find what a better American means to you and help make it a reality. This song’s call to action is the reason Citizen Connect exists.”
America has always been an exceptional country — for many reasons. From the outset its citizens saw themselves as participants in an experiment that would have implications for all of humankind. The journey that is the United States of America began 248 years ago with the motto e pluribus unum; out of many, we are one. In order for this motto to remain America’s foundational premise, “We the People” must become actively involved.
The lyrics to “This Country Tis of Thee” are Asher and Nevins’ call to action:
We are a nation trying to heal herself
We’re a nation who is we.
We’re a nation who has to make tough choices now
To remain the land of the free
We all hear the call from sea to signing sea
But leave it up to someone else to lead the way
When in fact it is up to each and one of us.
That’s the real American way
So what will you do? - What will you say ?
What stand will you take -- get started today
In each one of our dreams there is something we are trying to reach.
We must save this Democracy cause this country tis of th ee.
Please listen to “This Country Tis of Thee” and let us know your thoughts.
This Country Tis of Theewww.youtube.com
U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) 