Choices - A Country Ballad

A Memorial Day Song: In Flanders Fields

This song features a poem written in 1915 by John McCrae, a Canadian army surgeon. We promote the song today to honor all the fallen soldiers who have died in wars far from home. In Flanders Fields: A Memorial Day Song In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie,In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields. In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below. Heroes for Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Heroes for Today at heroesfortoday.substack.com/subscribe [https://heroesfortoday.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Food and Frugality: A Country Ballad

The song lyrics were adapted from an article written by Ward Clark, columnist for RedState (https://redstate.com/wardclark/2026/05/24/young-people-drowning-in-food-costs-try-boomer-style-frugality-n2202662 [https://redstate.com/wardclark/2026/05/24/young-people-drowning-in-food-costs-try-boomer-style-frugality-n2202662]). Ward is a great lyricist, even though he probably won’t admit it. Food and Frugality lyrics Young people these days sure do complainBack in my day, ages and ages agoWe not only had to walk 8 miles to schoolThrough hip-deep blowing snowUphill both ways, out and back againWe had to fight saber-tooth cats while doing so If you’re having cash flow problemsHey, it’s simple you knowInstead of Volvo and StarbucksTry Ford and Folgers to go What the heck are you eating?Sugar cookies sprinkled with pixie dust?Unicorn cutlets, champagne, and caviar?Avocado toast without the crust? Young complainers and whinersTake the delivery apps off your phoneGo to the grocery storeMake sandwiches on your own Cook your own dinnersIf you can’t cook, learn howStop whining, stop crying, get doingYou’re not special, no how! If you’re having cash flow problemsHey, it’s simple you knowInstead of Volvo and StarbucksTry Ford and Folgers to go Heroes for Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Heroes for Today at heroesfortoday.substack.com/subscribe [https://heroesfortoday.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Choices - A Country Ballad

This country ballad was inspired and adapted from Erika Kirk’s commencement speech at Hillsdale College in May 2026. Enjoy the inspiration! Choices lyrics Through his learning,Charlie recognized his dutyTo pursue truthAnd to defend libertyThis responsibility —He felt to GodHe felt it to our familyHe felt it to our countryThat was born from what he learned Life is not definedBy the abundance of optionsBut by the weight of the choicesThat you make within them,And those choices more often than notAre not dramatic or obviousBut quiet and compoundingForming the blueprint of your lifeLong before anyone else can seeWhat you are building Each of us must order his own houseLive rightly in aimFor high and beautiful thingsContinue forward in lifeWith clarity and intentionAnd you will come to understand That life is not definedBy the abundance of optionsBut by the weight of the choicesThat you make within themThose choices, more often than not,Are not dramatic or obviousBut quiet and compoundingForming the blueprint of your lifeLong before anyone else can seeWhat you are building It is so humblingThe contrast betweenHuman limitationAnd God’s infinity That’s why our choices,Even the smallest ones,MatterThey matter so much That’s why our choices,Even the smallest ones,MatterThey matter so much Heroes for Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Heroes for Today at heroesfortoday.substack.com/subscribe [https://heroesfortoday.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Happy Mother's Day from an Actress

Mothers are the great heroes of American families. One day is hardly enough to celebrate all that mothers contribute to families and society, but it will have to do. At least that. Happy Mother’s Day! This song is adapted from an acceptance speech by actress Jessie Buckley (as described in a column by Jennifer Oliver O’Connell): https://redstate.com/jenniferoo/2026/03/16/a-hollywood-starlet-praises-marriage-family-and-motherhood-n2200265 [https://redstate.com/jenniferoo/2026/03/16/a-hollywood-starlet-praises-marriage-family-and-motherhood-n2200265]. The Mother’s Day Song lyrics The incredible chaos of a mother’s heartThe capacity of a mother to loveA mother who can’t wait to discover lifeBeside her children, boys and girlsA mother’s love never goes awayNo matter how much she ages Celebrate what matters in lifeLove, marriage, and family above allA mother is the ultimate optimistShe believes the future is worth investing inShe believes in raising her kids to inherit it One day,the last crayon drawing is taken off the fridgeThe last lunchbox gets packedAnd the last little voice calls, “Mommy”Time moves fast, but love doesn’tThat’s why I’m giving her somethingThat holds every reason she’s loved,In my own wordsMoms deserve the worldWhy not give your mom your world today? One day, it will be the last hugThe last goodbyeThe last see you laterThe last dinnerThe last movieThe last time you get to tell your momYou love herMake sure she knows nowTell her today We love our mothers!Happy Mother’s Day! We love our mothers!Happy Mother’s Day! Heroes for Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Heroes for Today at heroesfortoday.substack.com/subscribe [https://heroesfortoday.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

We Love Our Mothers - Happy Mother's Day!

Mothers are the great heroes of American families. One day is hardly enough to celebrate all that mothers contribute to families and society, but it will have to do. At least that. Happy Mother’s Day! This song is adapted from a commentary by Kevin McCullough, columnist, Townhall (https://townhall.com/columnists/kevinmccullough/2026/05/06/gods-design-wasnt-accidental-n2675637 [https://townhall.com/columnists/kevinmccullough/2026/05/06/gods-design-wasnt-accidental-n2675637]). Mother’s Day Ballad - lyrics Men are womenWomen are menMothers are optionalFathers are interchangeableBiology is negotiableFamily structure is oppressiveCommitment is confining Children are both impossibly fragileAnd fully capable of decidingLife-altering truthsBefore they can drive a carAnd then, after all of that,We stare at the wreckage Loneliness through the roofAnxiety everywhereBirthrates collapsingChildren confusedFamilies unstable Children need stabilityFamilies matterNurture shapes identityLove and discipline are not enemies Healthy societies are always builtOn the same basic foundationStrong familiesCommitted parentsMothers and fathersEmbracing responsibilityChildren raised with truth,Consistency and love Real influence is repetitiveQuietUnseenIt’s packing lunchesCorrecting behaviorListening when exhaustedHolding a frightened childTeaching consistencySaying “no” whenIt would be easier to say “yes” The things that matter most:FaithFamilyLoveSacrificePresenceA mother kneeling beside a child’s bedAt night praying over themMay not trend on social mediaI suspect Heaven sees it differently We love our mothersHappy mother’s day to all We love our mothersHappy mother’s day to all Heroes for Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Heroes for Today at heroesfortoday.substack.com/subscribe [https://heroesfortoday.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]