Reprise RecordsToday, just in time for Fourth of July, Neil Young released a new protest anthem with patriotic overtones called “Children of Destiny.”
Young also took to Facebook to introduce an official video for the song, which can be viewed now on his official YouTube channel and NeilYoung.com.
The folk-rock legend recorded the track with his current touring band Promise of the Real, which features Willie Nelson‘s sons Lukas and Micah, along with a 56-piece orchestra.
In a short video clip posted on Facebook, Neil explains, “We made a record we wanted to share with you. We played with a bunch of people…maybe two weeks ago…65 of us. It was very great.”
The video for the song begins with a montage of patriotic images, including a boy riding a bicycle with an American flag attached to its back wheel, military jets flying in formation, another U.S. flag blowing in the wind and a group of children and adults marching in an apparent Fourth of July parade.
Musically, the song begins with blasting horns and overdriven guitar as Young and a chorus of other voices sing, “Stand up for what you believe, resist the powers that be/ Preserve the land and save the seas for the children of destiny/ The children of you and me.”
As the tune progresses, it alternates back and forth between the horn-driven section and an introspective segment sung by Neil alone and featuring string accompaniment.
The clip also features footage of protest marches; a city devastated by war; a ticker tape parade; a family enjoying a July 4 barbecue; various cities around the world; naturalistic scenes including mountains, wheat fields and oceans; and finally, fireworks displays viewed from the air high above a city.
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