"What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner." Colette

Jun 27, 2020

P.S. National Anthem

What's wrong with America the Beautiful?  Everybody likes that one, don't they; and many already feel this should be our national anthem. We already know the words, at least some of them.  Written by Katharine Lee Bates in 1893, she wrote (from the Ballad of America):
"One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000-foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse."

From the Ballad of America.

America the Beautiful

O beauti
ful 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 for 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 they 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


Ray Charles had a wonderful rendition of the song which most people have heard.  Now there's someone who really saw all men equally. So tell me, what's wrong with this one?

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