1. Happy Independence Day! Year 249 of the Republic (year 418 of the nation, for those keeping track).

I try to make it a rule to play nice today and not share any of the thoughts that I, as a Loyalist, may have about the Revolution, the Declaration, or the rest of it. Well, at least not most of them.

2. Instead, figured today we’d just do some patriotic music from all sides. First let’s hear from the winning side of the First Civil War:

3. Now some from the right side:

(To any who object to that characterization: the one benefit to backing the losing side is that it confers a moral right to bad mouth the winners with impunity).

4. And some from the winners of the Second Civil War

5. Now some from the less-winning side:

6. And some that everyone can get behind.

7. Have a happy Fourth!