“The Way I Feel”

  

c. 2026 Rod Ice

All rights reserved

(7-26)

 

 

Everyone is a child of God

And everyone needs grace

The color of skin and the shape you’re in

Don’t matter to the human race

I won’t stand up for money

But I’ll stand up for me and you

Because this land and my traveling band

Are believers in faith, renewed

That’s the way I feel

And it’s my shield

 

Everyone has a right to work

If they are able to build a home

And those that need a helping hand

Should not be left alone

This continent, grand, is a glory land

Built up by common folk

Families raised on sunshine

With a little dash of hope

That’s the way I feel

And it’s my shield

 

Working people are the ones

Who toil till the day is done

And if we choose to chase that goal

There’ll be a golden sum

A reward paid out with gratitude

For those that made this day

And if you want to scatter sheep

This is what I have to say

That’s the way I feel

And it’s my shield

 

I’ve never cared to beat my chest

That’s not the way I roll

I’ll pull the strap of my saddle, tight

And giddy-up my soul

With my bootheels hanging in the breeze

And hooves shod with iron shoes

If you can’t understand what’s right

Then brother, get a clue!

That’s the way I feel

And it’s my shield

 

Calling names is a kid’s affair

A habit for the weak

I’ve never been one to wave my six-gun

To avoid looking mild and meek

I’ll stand with those who proudly say

That in one home we dwell

From many we are one, in name

Don’t listen to anything else

That’s how I feel

And it’s my shield

 

Bullies leave me feeling cold

They fail to impress

I’ll say it now, to raised eyebrows

That kind of talk is a mess

I’m more inclined to listen close

When kinship is displayed

You show me a self-righteous man

I’ll show you an early grave

That’s the way I feel

And it’s my shield

 

Tough talk only seeds the wind

With a taste of bad intent

It can’t follow through with anything new

We know who pays the rent

Their main concern is not to learn

About a greater life

But instead to keep it stalled and stuck

In a swirl right down the pipes

That’s the way I feel

And it’s my shield

 

Give me a mountain morning

And a breath of freedom, fulfilled

I’ll put a hand over my heart

To remember when blood was spilled

The sacrifice of ages came

Before we were awake

And to those brave hearts we owe debts

That can never be repaid

That’s the way I feel

And it’s my shield

 

From many people, we are one

That’s what the motto says

And if you decide not to join the wise

You’ll sink, not swim, instead

My belief is in the goodness

Of a union on the march

A tribe of soldiers when duty calls

A country, living large

That’s the way I feel

And it’s my shield

 

That’s the way I feel

And it’s my shield

 

That’s the way I feel

And it’s my shield