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Will Ferrell proposes new song for US naturalization ceremonies

Will Ferrell proposes new song for US naturalization ceremonies

When someone becomes a citizen of the United States, the naturalization ceremony traditionally features Lee Greenwood's “God Bless the USA.” In the latest episode of Last week tonightWill Ferrell introduced a possible replacement for Greenwood's tune.

Host John Oliver discussed Greenwood's legacy and poked fun at the conservative country singer's many missteps in his career. He then argued against Greenwood's song being played at naturalization ceremonies like his own. “I am very familiar with the immigration process in the United States, having finally received American citizenship in 2019,” Oliver said. “It was a long, stressful process, crowned by a moving naturalization ceremony.”

He added: “Although Lee Greenwood has repeatedly claimed that his song is apolitical, it definitely is not… Frankly, I'm not sure why it is played at ceremonies at all.” Not just contractually or even musically, but also, because Greenwood’s previous comments about immigrants were inappropriate, to say the least.”

Instead, Oliver suggested a new song, noting that people who become naturalized deserve something that is “truly unique to this country.”

“A song that celebrates the nation you Americans are about to join and the process you have gone through, without hiding the hard truths about it,” he said. “And the good news is, I think we actually have the perfect song, and it's sung by a true American treasure. Not only are we not going to charge the government $700 a year to do it, we're not assholes. We actually pay them $700 a year.”

In Ferrell's three-minute music video, the actor plays a fictional country singer who sings about America's pros and cons. “Like corn dogs and apple pie/Fireworks lighting up the sky/Nascar, rodeo, barbecue/That stuff is American/Now you are too,” he sings, before adding, “Televangelists and fossil fuels/Metal detectors in all our schools /Private prisons.” and Mountain Dew/That stuff is American/That’s your problem too.”

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Along with a choir, cheerleaders and a marching band, Ferrell then brings the song to a grand climax, complete with the Statue of Liberty, a giant American flag and fireworks. “Fellow Americans,” he whines. “Welcome home.” He also quips, “Holy shit, I just remembered the coup.” Watch here.

Elsewhere on the late-night show, Oliver took aim at Donald Trump's recent PR visit to McDonald's, which is also dealing with an E. coli outbreak. “An E. coli outbreak was linked to McDonald's, but it was still somehow the second most heinous event this week,” Oliver said, showing a photo of Trump pictured at the fast-food chain's drive-thru.

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