We have nothing to fear but fear itself
As long as our faith doesn't fail
We can face any storm with head held high
And a smile as a shield from the gale
If we truly believe in what we feel
The moment our doubts disappear
We can see shining clear like the sun through a tear
We have nothing to fear but fear
In his first inaugural address in 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Told a frightened nation, "The only thing we have to fear is fear
Itself. Our primary task is to put people to work." And to that
End, more legislation was passed within the next ninety-nine days
Than in any previous Congress. Saint or demon, radical or
Humanitarian, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was not the type of man to
Arouse any half-hearted feelings. People either revered or hated him
But his New Deal had obviously made more friends than enemies
For in 1936 he was reelected with a plurality of ten million votes
Now, less than two decades after the world had been made safe for
Democracy, the nightmare of another world conflict loomed in Europe
And Franklin Roosevelt worked tirelessly to build up solidarity among
The countries of the Western Hemisphere. Breaking with tradition in
1940, He ran and was elected for a third term. And on December 7
1941, The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor plunged us into war. Not
Only the United States, but the whole free world was locked in a
Violent death struggle. And elected for a fourth term, FDR was
Determined that this time we should not win the war and lose
The peace. He traveled far and wide to bring the free nations
Of the world into an alliance. The United Nations was born, but
He did not live to attend its first session. On April 12, 1945
Franklin Delano Roosevelt died. And with the war not yet won
Harry S. Truman became our thirty-third president. Pledging
Himself to maintain Roosevelt's policies, he saw us through the
War. And with a spunk and fiery spirit that no one had guessed he
Possessed, Truman faced the problems of a post-war atomic world
And in 1948, against all predictions, was elected to a second term
Go get 'em, Harry, you'll show 'em all
You are best with your back against the wall
Go get 'em, Harry, fight for the right
And we'll back you, Harry, with all the nation's might
And soon all the nation's might backed up the President's
Decision to fight against aggression in Korea. Harry S
Truman had taken on a gigantic responsibility, but Franklin D
Roosevelt had bequeathed to him and to all of us an unconquerable
Weapon: the reaffirmation of faith in our four freedoms
Freedom of speech and of worship, from want and from fear
If we truly believe in what we feel
The moment our doubts disappear
We can see shining clear like the sun through a tear
We have nothing to fear but fear