Having spent my share of time standing for the national anthem
as it has been played or sung at sporting events and other locations, I still
find it has the power to strike a nerve with me, not so much for the melody or
even the words themselves, but for everything that it stands. I think of the sacrifice that has gone into
giving our flag meaning, and our National Anthem is nothing less than the
musical personification of that flag.
But I have to say, the other two songs that I mentioned
above resonate with me in so many ways.
Today, however, I’m thinking mostly about America the Beautiful. I heard it sung over the weekend and thought
about how positive it rings. The song is
about all that is good about our country, and while some may think its vision a
bit altruistic, I don’t.
America the Beautiful
was first written by Katharine Lee Bates as a poem entitled Pikes Peak. It was first published on July 4, 1895 in a
church publication called The
Congregationalist, but when it was published, its title was changed to
simply America.
The words were combined with a melody that had been written
by Samuel Ward in 1882. That melody was
called Materna for the hymn O Mother dear, Jerusalem.
Words and song were joined in 1910 and given the title America the Beautiful. It has now been 103 years since the song
entered the country’s consciousness.
It recognizes our country’s natural beauty, its history, its
foundation in a democracy based on freedoms given to us by the Creator. The song pays homage to those who gave the
ultimate sacrifices for our freedoms.
In 2013, I think the words of the song are as relevant as
ever. Songs are important in the way
groups come together, in how perceptions are influenced, how we are able to
strike a chord with our audiences. Yet
they often tend to be much larger than simple PR tactics or strategies. And this one is no exception.
So with that, may I wish you a Happy Independence Day!
America the Beautiful
Words
by Katharine Lee Bates,
Melody by Samuel Ward
Melody by Samuel Ward
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!
O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!
O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!
O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!
O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!
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