Awaiting Fifty-Six Autographs

The battle has come back around. Will we have the same resolve? Are America’s patriots ready, willing and able?
Seeing so many parallels, I can’t help but sense the weight and how the writers and signers felt. The promise of freedom sits atop a desk, awaiting fifty-six autographs.
The word had gone out. The Declaration was to be read, aloud …
Not yet signed, but heralded across the land.

The Declaration proclaimed the Thirteen Colonies were now “free and independent States”, no longer colonies of the Kingdom of Great Britain and, thus, no longer a part of the British Empire.

The windows remained closed in Independence Hall. In the summers sweltering heat, the discussions considered treasonous. Death by hanging the consequences.

When 56 men pledged “our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred honor.

Awaiting Fifty-six Autographs

Ink now etched in history
Came as no surprise
The dawn of freedoms call
A nation begins to rise

The signers stand united
Awakening of brighter days
The Hope of America’s freedom
Sets the British ablaze

Silent prayers
Linger still
They sought the Lord
His Counsel and Will

“We weighed the cost and chose
The Declaration we proudly signed
Each of us took up the quill
Embracing our shared destiny’s design

The British underestimated our might
Though battles rage and critics scorn
Fifty-six signatures ignited
A beacon of hope, dawn of a new morn

Harsh British rule
We sought to defy
Taxation without representation
No longer will we gratify

The battle will rage
The British scoffed and laughed
Never could they imagine
Power of agreement in fifty-six autographs”

The deed is done
In our hearts a fire burned
The promise of freedom sits atop the desk
Tyranny’s grip soon will be undone

In our hearts we felt
The leading and draw
Freedom is our right
Tyranny’s time has come to fall

Inheritance of liberty gained
Scripture affirms our inherent rights
Illuminating our noble cause
The inspired Word our guiding light

Scripture proves
Inheritances gained
The Word came alive
Explained and ordained

Lives, fortunes and sacred honor pledged
Looking to heaven’s Supreme Litigator
Lead us in this fight
Our Lord and Vindicator

©️ laurette laster July 7, 2026

When 56 men pledged “our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred honor.

Borrowed from Wallbuilders
{One signer, William Whipple of New Hampshire, captured the excitement in a letter that very day:
It [the Declaration] was this day published in form at the State House in this city [i.e., at Independence Hall] and is to be published at the head of the Army at New York on Thursday next. We are now free from those cursed shackles that has embarrassed [complicated] all our affairs ever since the commencement of the War.
The crowd responded to this event (and future readings in other locations) with long and joyful celebrations.}

God bless and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you shalom.

Until next time, thank you for listening with me, laurette