The camera pans to a young child running through an open field with the American flag in hand, while a shot of the declaration of independence unfolds in the foreground. Rev. Peter Unger’s latest music video, “Pick Up the Banner,” opens with evocative visuals and warm acoustic guitars that draw you in from the first note.
The lyrics flash across the screen, asking a powerful question right at the start: “If the Sons of Liberty were alive today/What would they fight for/What would they say?” Unger makes it clear that he’s not here to preach. With a montage of the founding fathers forming the backdrop to the lyrics, this single aims to remind us of the reason the US came into being.
Unger combines acoustic country and gospel textures in his signature style, and the slow pacing of the video perfectly complements this artistic choice. The vision behind the song is to keep the message simple and powerful, with the refrain, “So pick up the banner and wave it high/To keep the spirit of ‘76 alive,” achieving that with ease.
The music video is rich with imagery of waving the star-spangled banner and depictions of the revolutionary war, and you can’t help but feel a little patriotic while watching it. Unger’s warm and rich vocals praise America’s democracy and constitution that “declares the rights of all humankind.”
It’s easy to get carried away with flashy visuals when you’re making a music video, but Rev. Peter Unger’s focus stays true. The emphasis falls clearly on the core message, but the video is still produced well enough to add value to the track. With the combination of lyrics lauding American virtues, classy musicianship, and tasteful visuals, “Pick up the Banner” has the makings of a modern classic.