In this YouTube video, Rick Lee James opens with a personal reflection on the Fourth of July, noting his recent concert at the Kenton, Ohio state fairgrounds and his desire to bring a sacred element to a typically secular holiday. He introduces a cover of Rich Mullins' song "Here in America," explaining that the song is challenging to play on guitar but meaningful to him. He then performs a lyrical rendition that blends Mullins' original verses with his own spoken interludes, emphasizing themes of God’s presence across America’s landscapes. After the performance, Rick offers a brief faith‑centered message, encouraging viewers to spend time with God, highlighting that true freedom comes from the Lord. The video combines personal testimony, musical tribute, and a spiritual exhortation aimed at framing the holiday in a holy context.
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Good evening everyone! July 4th is almost over here. It's toward the end of the day. I've had a busy day. Played a concert up in Kenton, Ohio this afternoon at the state fairgrounds. Had a lot of fun doing that. And I realized, you know what? I haven't really done any, like, July 4th-y type music. And that's a tough thing for me. Because I want to find something that's sacred and holy in the midst of a day that can very often be secular. So what I'm gonna do is share one of my favorite Rich Mullins songs. It's kind of a tough one to play on guitar, but man, it's a beautiful song called "Here in America." So here's my best attempt at this. 2, 1, 2, 3.
Saints and children, we've gathered here to hear the sacred story, and I'm glad to bring it to you with my best rhyming and rhythm, 'cause I know the thirstin' listen. Down the waters come, and the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America. If you listen to my songs, I hope you hear the water falling. Hope you feel the oceans crashing on the coast of North New England. Wish I could be there just to see them. Two summers past, I was, and the holy King of Israel loves me here in America. If I were a painter, I do not know which I'd paint. The falling of the ancient stars or the assembling of the saints. And there's so much beauty around us for just two eyes to see. But everywhere I go, I'm looking. Once I went to Appalachia for my father, he was born there. And I saw the mountains waking with the innocence of children. And my soul is still there with him, wrapped in the songs And the holy King of Israel loves me in America. I've seen by the highways on a million exit ramps, these two-legged memorials to the laws of happenstance, waiting for four-wheeled messiahs to take them home again. But my home is anywhere if you are where I am. If you listen to me, to my songs. I hope you hear the water falling. Hope you feel the oceans crashing on the coast of North New England. Wish that I could be there just to see them. Two summers passed downwards, and the holy King of Israel loves me here in America. And the holy King of Israel loves me here in America.
That's about the best I can do with Rich Mullins on short notice, but I hope you guys had a very happy Fourth of July, and I hope you have some sacred time with your God today. Nothing is more important than spending time with your Lord. And he is the one that gives us true freedom. So I'm glad to get to share a little bit of Rich Mullins today. Hope you guys had a wonderful day. Take care.
