"Oh! Say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,"
all the diversity of our heritage, both great and small?
Energy is in the air as audiences take their seats and Drummer
assembles icons of the stars and stripes U.S.A.
Lights dim as the music of our history ushers in
spectacle, celebration, entertainment, poignancy, and tribute.
Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Blackwell, Will Diamond,
Ben Franklin, and Patrick Henry have their say!
Amelia Bloomer, Daniel Boone, Robert Fulton,
Paul Revere, and Thomas Jefferson tell how they helped to pave the way!
Johnny Appleseed, Esther Howland, Indian Chief, Edwin James,
Abraham Swartwout, and Booker T. Washington share how they enlightened the day!
Uncle Sam steps forward to proclaim, "I want You! I want You! And, I want You!"
We are witness to patriotism with "The Star Spangled Banner;"
spectacle in "Meet Me In St. Louis;" celebration with the "Maple Leaf Rag;"
relaxation in "Good Old Summertime," and "Take Me Out To The Ballgame;"
and tenderness, sorrow, loss...haunting horror weeps to us from "Shenandoah."
Lewis & Clark give us the spirit of adventure; Thomas Alva Edison that of invention;
the Revolutionary and Civil Wars the wounds of conflict;
East meets West reminds us of expansion; and Cobb, Sullivan,
Murphy, Zaharias, Thorp, and the mighty Casey of the legends of sport.
Clagg, Foreman, Gfell, Gilmore, Hoffman, McVeagh, Musser, Mygrant,
Rogers, and Ruble embrace the spirit of collaboration;
all are kindred spirits of the art of performing.
Artists, choreographers, directors, musicians, performers, technicians
sit at the banquet table of theatre.
We take nourishment, one from the other.
We cherish the fellowship, skills, talents, and energies of each.
We are Yankee Doodles, every one!
by Ronald M. Ruble
Copyright 7-1-2000
