The Promise of This Land [Dennis DeYoung]

The Promise of This Land
Written by Dennis DeYoung
Lead Vocals by Dennis DeYoung

Once upon a promised land
From sea to shining sea
People lived by freedom's light
Folks like you, and folks like me
And out there in this promised land
Behind every door
Anyone could dare to dream
Like no place else like none before

And so we came from everywhere
Together and alone
Searching for a better life
Then the one we had known

And so we pledge tonight
No matter where we stand
To keep the promise of this land

But out there in this promised land
Beneath this fairy tale
Suddenly the winds of change
Have steered a course beyond the pale
And with this new uncertainty
Where nothing's as it seems
Can our children still believe

They'll find a way to reach their dreams 

Interpretation

America has been the "promised land" for immigrants from many countries around the world since its founding.  It has been a place where people could pursue their dreams with freedom and opportunity to succeed, more than any other country in human history. It's not always perfect, and underneath the shiny surface are people who are more isolationist and less willing to welcome new immigrants, and in some ways it seems that we are changing to steer us away from that openness that made us great. Can our children still believe in the promise?  Like every generation before them, they will find a way to reach their dreams.