Two of Seventeen

Two of Seventeen

Performed by Debbie “Hayride” Harper & The Prairie Songbirds

Two of Seventeen — Music and Lyrics by Alan Nafzger

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(fiddle, steal guitar)
Verse 1
Out on this dusty highway, the stars are fading dim,
Only 17 patriots left, and it’s looking pretty grim.
Two of us are married, fighting side by side,
The rest of us scattered, with no place left to hide.

Chorus
We’re the 2 of 17, who still wave Old Glory high,
In a world that’s forgotten, under a darkened sky.
We stand for the freedom, in the land of the brave,
In the heart of America, that we swore to save.

Verse 2
We hold to the Bill of Rights, they’re more than paper and ink,
Freedom of speech and worship, in a world on the brink.
We stand with Israel, where the old prophecies say,
There’s a promised land, that won’t fade away.

Chorus
We’re the 2 of 17, who still wave Old Glory high,
In a world that’s forgotten, under a darkened sky.
We stand for the freedom, in the land of the brave,
In the heart of America, that we swore to save.

Bridge
We two, we fight against terror, we fight against fear,
Marxists and demagogues, they won’t rule we two here.
Though the world’s gone cold, we’re still burning bright,
Two of 17, standing in the night.

Verse 3
They say love for America’s old-fashioned, out of style,
But we still remember freedom’s worth every mile.
The Constitution’s not dead, not while we’re still around,
The land of the free won’t be buried in the ground.

Chorus
We’re the 2 of 17, who still wave Old Glory high,
In a world that’s forgotten, under a darkened sky.
We stand for the freedom, in the land of the brave,
In the heart of America, that we swore to save.

Outro
So here’s to married couples, still holding the line,
Two of 17, in this fading time.
We’ll fight for the flag, for the country we love,
Two of 17, with hope from above.

Interview with Alan Nafzger, Conducted by Debbie “Hayride” Harper

On the Meaning Behind the Dystopian Anthem, “Two of Seventeen”

Debbie Harper: Well, folks, today we’ve got the one and only Alan Nafzger with us, the man behind the haunting and powerful song, “2 of 17.” Alan, welcome! Let’s dive right in. This song has been making waves across the country. Some folks are calling it an anthem for modern patriots, and others say it’s a grim reflection of America’s future. What was the inspiration for “2 of 17” and what’s it meant to symbolize?

Alan Nafzger: Thanks, Debbie. You know, “2 of 17” came from looking around at the world we’re living in today. I see so many people divided, torn between what America used to stand for and what it’s becoming. The idea that only 17 patriots remain was a way to show how small that group of people who still believe in traditional values might feel. The couple in the song are two of the last ones standing, holding the line for what they believe is right in the face of overwhelming odds.

Debbie Harper: It’s powerful, no doubt. You paint this image of a married couple, united in their love for each other and for America. What do you think this song says to men and women today? Is it about more than just patriotism?

Alan Nafzger: Absolutely. The couple in the song isn’t just symbolic of love for the country—it’s also about the power of unity, of partnership. Men and women standing side by side, through thick and thin, that’s the backbone of what built this country. It’s a reminder that no matter how much the world tries to pull us apart, those core relationships, those partnerships—whether it’s a marriage, a family, or a community—are what give us the strength to carry on. In today’s climate, where so much feels fractured, I think it speaks to the need to hold tight to the things that ground us.

Debbie Harper: I’m glad you brought that up, because this song doesn’t shy away from highlighting the divide. You mention how “half the country has fallen for the lie.” That’s a big statement, Alan. What is the “lie,” in your view, and why do you think so many have bought into it?

Alan Nafzger: Debbie, the “lie” I’m talking about is the idea that you can strip away what made America great in the first place—freedom, free-markets, and self-reliance—and still come out on top. You see it in the way people are being sold on these grand promises of utopias, of Marxist ideals that, frankly, just don’t work when you look at the history of them. The truth is, these systems take away individual freedoms. They give power to governments and elites, while the regular folks—people like you and me—get left behind. Half the country, in my eyes, has bought into this dream that sounds nice on paper but doesn’t hold up in reality.

Debbie Harper: That’s pretty heavy. Do you think this song is a warning of sorts?

Alan Nafzger: I’d say so, yes. It’s a warning that if we don’t wake up and start standing up for what we know to be true—what history has taught us—then we’re heading down a path where those last 17 patriots, that last couple, might not even be there. It’s dystopian for a reason. It’s meant to show the extreme end of what happens when we let the lies take over.

Debbie Harper: You also mention Marxism and other political ideologies that are gaining traction. How do you see this playing out, especially with the rise of what some are calling “Marxist candidates” running for high office?

Alan Nafzger: It’s frightening, Debbie. I see candidates who are promoting policies that sound good on the surface—free everything, cradle-to-grave support—but what’s the cost? The cost is liberty. The cost is control over your own life. It’s like people have forgotten that the government doesn’t give you anything without taking something in return. These Marxist ideals strip away individualism, and we’re starting to see it happen in real time. It’s all about control—of speech, of beliefs, of livelihoods. And once you lose those freedoms, it’s a slippery slope to losing it all.

Debbie Harper: I can hear the passion in your voice. Do you think people still resonate with the idea of America that you’re defending in this song? Or has that idea been lost to this new wave of thinking?

Alan Nafzger: I think there are still plenty of people out there who love this country for what it truly represents. They’re just quieter, maybe tired. But they’re there. That’s what the 17 in the song represent—they’re the ones who refuse to let go, even when it feels like the world is against them. The problem is that the other half—the folks who’ve bought into the lie—they’re louder right now. They’ve got the media, they’ve got the schools, they’ve got social platforms. And that’s what makes it feel like patriotism is on the ropes.

Debbie Harper: The imagery in the song is vivid. You describe the last couple, standing tall against a tide of unpatriotic forces—Marxists, fascists, atheists. What message do you want to send with that imagery?

Alan Nafzger: I want people to see that it’s not about the specific labels or the ideologies themselves. It’s about what those ideologies represent. Marxism, fascism, atheism—they’re all different ways of rejecting individual freedom, personal responsibility, and the values that built America. That couple in the song, they’re standing up for something bigger than themselves. They’re standing up for an idea—the idea that freedom is worth defending, even when it seems like the whole world has turned against you.

Debbie Harper: One last question, Alan. If you could sum up what you hope people take away from “2 of 17,” what would it be?

Alan Nafzger: I’d say it’s this: Don’t give up on what makes this country great. It’s easy to feel like we’re outnumbered, like we’re losing. But as long as there are people who believe in freedom, who believe in personal liberty, we’re not done yet. “2 of 17” is about that fight. It’s about holding the line, no matter what. And who knows, maybe we can get a few more people on our side before it’s all said and done.

Debbie Harper: Well, Alan, I think you’ve struck a chord with a lot of folks. This song has got people talking, and I think it’s going to resonate for a long time to come. Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk with me about it.

Alan Nafzger: Thank you, Debbie. It’s always a pleasure to chat with someone who understands the heart of it all.

Debbie “Hayride” Harper signing off after another insightful conversation. Stay tuned, folks. The fight for freedom isn’t over yet.