Rugged Individualism
... that's the American fire
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This piece was inspired by Bob Lonsberry's post on January 5, 2026. It's pithy. It's on-point. It's in context. It's revealing. It's powerful. It's everything you'd expect from an American patriot. See below. But listen first.
Rugged Individualism
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1]
Refused to give my seat on that Montgomery line
Stood my ground when the world said "fall in behind"
Ran ashore through the fire on Omaha's sand
Built this nation with calloused heart and hand
[Verse 2]
God-given rights burning deep in my soul
Life and liberty, chasing dreams that I hold
No mountain too high, no burden too great
I carve my own path, I decide my own fate
[Pre-Chorus]
Not selfish, not proud, just standing tall
Lifting others as I answer my call
[Chorus]
Rugged individualism, that's the American fire
Self-reliant and free, lifting spirits higher
Won't bow to the herd, won't follow the crowd
Head held high, voice ringing loud
Rugged individualism — it's who we are
The road less traveled, our guiding star
[Verse 3]
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Eagle Scout honor, pledging duty and free
One life to give for the land that I love
Dreaming big when they say "that's enough"
[Verse 4]
Yarmulke, hijab, or cross on my chest
Campaign hat, pride pin — I wear what feels best
Kicked down by life but I rise up again
Going my way, whether lone or with friends
[Pre-Chorus]
Not a loner by force, just free by design
Shouldering burdens, but the choices are mine
[Chorus]
Rugged individualism, that's the American fire
Self-reliant and free, lifting spirits higher
Won't bow to the herd, won't follow the crowd
Head held high, voice ringing loud
Rugged individualism — it's who we are
The road less traveled, our guiding star
[Instrumental Solo]
[Bridge]
They mock it, attack it, try to tear it apart
The collectivists fear what's beating in our hearts
But freedom runs deeper than any chain they impose
In the soul of the rugged, true liberty grows
[Final Chorus] (build bigger)
Rugged individualism, light the American fire!
Self-reliant and free, taking spirits higher!
Won't bow to the herd, won't follow the crowd
Head held high, singing proud and loud
Rugged individualism — it's who we are
The road less traveled, our everlasting star
[Outro]
Kiss my ass to the tyrants who want me to kneel
I'm rugged, I'm free — and that's how I feel
Rugged individualism… forever real
[Instrumental outro]
This is original work is produced by AK Darvinson with a combination of observation, critical thinking, insight, heart, compassion, passion, creativity, and technology. All rights are reserved. Free sharing is encouraged. Commercial use via license only.
IN PRAISE OF RUGGED INDIVIDUALISM
Bob Lonsberry
https://lonsberry.com/writings.cfm?story=4738
Rugged individualism is refusing to surrender your seat to a white man on the Montgomery City Line.
Rugged individualism is running ashore at Omaha Beach.
Rugged individualism is settling a continent and raising a flag and building the greatest nation ever to grace the earth.
Rugged individualism is knowing in your soul that you have God-given rights, to -- among other things -- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The pursuit of your happiness, how you define it, the right to live the way you want to live.
Rugged individualism is not selfish, it is not proud, it is not disrespectful of the rights or interests of others. It is in every way the American spirit, the belief that anyone can do anything, that there is no mountain too high, no burden too heavy, no obstacle that can't be overcome.
Rugged individualism builds a strong society by building strong people. It teaches self-reliance and whispers encouragement, it builds robust freedom and a resilient people. It has kept us strong and free.
And that's why they attack it.
The progressives, the socialists, the oppressors in all their varieties. They mock rugged individualism because it is the one thing that stands in their way. Their "collective" is nothing more than a flock of sheep, herded by government masters who make the decisions and control the property and direct the lives.
American culture, defined by rugged individualism, produces people who refuse to submit, who hold their heads high and know their rights, who can't be led around by the nose by tyrants and commissars.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," is rugged individualism. "On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country," is rugged individualism. "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country," is rugged individualism. "I took the road less traveled," is rugged individualism. "I have a dream," is rugged individualism. "Kiss my ass," is rugged individualism.
When an American raises his or her voice, or quietly lives his or her life, that's rugged individualism. Living your life your way, not surrendering to social or political pressures, following your conscience and pursuing your dream, that's rugged individualism.
Wearing a yarmulke or an hijab is rugged individualism. Putting a political sign in your lawn or wearing a hat that supports your candidate is rugged individualism. Having an Eagle, Globe and Anchor sticker on your truck is rugged individualism. So is wearing a cross, or an LGBTQ pin.
Getting kicked in the teeth by life and continuing to press forward is rugged individualism. Going left when everybody else is going right is rugged individualism. Going right because it's the way you want to go, even if everyone else is also going right, is rugged individualism.
Being a rugged individual does not mean that you are a loner. You can be if you want to be, but most choose to be part of the larger world, to shoulder their share of the work necessary to carry our society and our country forward and upward. And they are far better able to do those things because of their rugged individualism, their individual grit and free spirit.
Rugged individualism means being responsible for yourself -- responsible for your support, and for your actions. Rugged individualism means being free.
Which is why the collective is so afraid of it.
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