Wake Up To a New America

The Pearce Middle School Choir
Chris Castro, Conductor


The Story

Some years ago, Don Kirkpatrick came up with the idea for "Wake Up To a New America" for the inauguration of President Clinton. Although too late in the process to get the song included in the inaugural festivities, Don got quite a lot of positive response from the President and Mrs. Clinton, The Honorable J.J. Pickle, the DNC, and others. Undaunted, Don continued his pursuit, and with the inauguration of President-elect George W. Bush, aims to get this important message into the hearts and minds of the American people.

Working with Chris Castro, the conductor of the Pearce Middle School choir in Austin, and Karl Logue, Producer, Publisher and orchestrator, Don and company have brought together the concept album "Wake Up to a New America", which contains 6 tracks, many of which are Christmas tunes, in keeping with the timing of its release.

In this concept album, you'll find gritty social issues such as homelessness in "Where Do the Homeless Go at Christmastime," and light-hearted holiday fare like "Chillon Dillon", and "Santa Claus Is a Good Old Man."

The Songs

  • Wake Up to a New America
  • Where Do the Homeless Go at Christmas Time
  • Chillon Dillon
  • I've Got a Song to Sing
  • Santa Claus is a Good Old Man
  • Wake Up To A New America

    I want to Wake Up to a New America,
    Where everyone is totally free.
    I Want to Wake Up to a New America,
    Where you've got the right to be you,
    and I've got the right to be me.
    Where everyone can feel safe at night,
    to walk the streets without fear,
    knowing that if danger comes,
    some one will be there to here,
    and no one will ever need to fear.
    I want to wake up to a New America,
    with poverty no longer in sight.
    I Want to Wake Up to a new America,
    where violence can finally take flight.
    So If you share this dream,
    it's a vision you can see.
    Let's march together towards a beautiful destiny.
    Cause, I want to wake up to a New America
    where everyone's got the same opportunity
    to reach the highest star,
    no matter who they are,
    in our great land of liberty!
    I want to Wake Up to a New America,
    where everyone is totally free.
    I want to Wake Up to a new America,
    a new America for you and me.

    Chillon Dillon

    This is the story of a penguin you know;
    his name is Chillon Dillon and he lives in the snow.
    He was so very shy,
    He watched the reindeer fly,
    and wished that Santa picked him to join him in the sky.
    Then one day as Santa was about to load up his sleigh,
    to his dismay, Chillon Dillon saw Santa fall on his way.
    So he called out to Rudolph,
    "Save Santa before the ice takes him away!"
    Then Chillon called "Rudolph, help us guide his sleigh.
    Take us both to Santa and we'll pull him away."
    They saw Santa lying all alone in the snow,
    And Chillon grabbed a hold of Santa and said "Let's go."
    Chillon Dillon came through and he is no longer shy,
    and he got to ride with Santa and he finally learned how to fly.
    All the children say, "Chillon Dillon, we'll love you forever more."
    And they say to Chillon Dillon,
    "Chillon Dillon, you're not just a penguin anymore."

    Santa Claus is a Good Old Man

    Stayed up half the night,
    Waited patiently
    to see him come to our house,
    down the old chimney
    Finally I gave up.
    I know that story ain't true.
    That man will never show up;
    That's why I'm telling you

    CHORUS:
    Santa Claus is nothin but a mean old man!
    Santa Claus is nothin but a mean old man!
    He's just part--he's just part,
    part of the grown-ups plan.

    Wrote a letter to him
    just the other day,
    but never got an answer;
    guess he moved away.
    I'm sure that in the morning,
    I'll look under the tree,
    There won't be any presents
    like the grown-ups said there'd be

    CHORUS:
    Santa Claus is nothin but a mean old man!
    Santa Claus is nothin but a mean old man!
    He's just part--he's just part,
    part of the grown-ups plan.

    Why should I try to be good,
    I just don't understand
    When Santa Claus is nothing
    but a mean old man!
    Well, now it's Christmas morning,
    and right there by the tree
    Are the skates I wrote for
    I never thought I'd see!

    CHORUS:
    Santa Claus is nothin but a Good old man!
    Santa Claus is nothin but a Good old man!
    But He's just part--he's just part,
    part of the grown-ups plan.

    Someday when I grow up
    and have a family
    I wonder if he'll show up,
    the way he did for me?
    Although I never saw him,
    nobody ever can
    I'm sorry that I called him
    a mean old man

    CHORUS:
    Santa Claus is nothin but a Good old man!
    Santa Claus is nothin but a Good old man!
    But He's just part--he's just part,
    part of the grown-ups plan.

    Where Do the Homeless Go at Christmas time

    Where Do the Homeless Go at Christmas time?
    Who's going to be there
    To show them a good time?
    Where do the Homeless go at Christmas time?
    Who's going to care, and let them know.

    Most of us here have been lucky,
    We have a home we love where we can go
    But when the Christmas bells ring this winter
    who will be walking in the snow?

    No place to go, no fire keeps them warm
    Are you turning your back, then watch them go by?
    or cry, saying "There, but for the grace of God, go I?"

    Where to the Homeless Go at Christmas Time?
    Whos going to be there
    To show them there's hope this time?
    Open your hearts to all this Christmas Time.
    Let's not forget them anymore.

    I've Got a Song to Sing

    I've got a song to sing, a beautiful song to sing
    of love and hope and eternal spring
    A song just for you
    Oh, I've got a song to sing, a beautiful song to sing
    of Freedom and peaceful things;
    a song just for you.
    Let my music touch your heart
    Let the words bring us together
    like a symphony of love
    so we will never part, not ever.
    I've got a song to sing, a beautiful song to sing.
    Our time for love is finally here
    So here's my song for you!

    Step on the Stepping Stones

    Step on the Stepping stones
    that lead you to your rainbow
    Step on the Stepping stones
    that take you where you want to go.
    Just hear that voice in your heart,
    and you'll know where to start,
    then you can step on the stepping stones
    that lead you to your rainbow.

    Step on the stepping stones
    that lead you to or heart way,
    Step on the stepping stones
    that take you where you want to stay.
    Just let your heart be your guide,
    and with love deep inside,
    then you can step on the stepping stones
    that lead you to your rainbow.

    Everybody's got a goal
    that they're truly seeking,
    And they find that that when they look,
    it is worth the reaping,
    so don't get caght sleeping.

    Step on the Stepping stones
    that lead you to your rainbow
    Step on the Stepping stones
    that take you where you want to go.
    Just have that joy and peace of mind,
    and I know you will find
    the secret waiting at the end of your rainbow.

    All Lyrics Copyrighted. Any reproduction of these lyrics without the express written consent of LogueRhythm Productions is a violation of copyright law.