I thought it would a great idea to make a presentation on the song America the Beautiful. That should be easy right? Nope! I got into getting understanding of the verses, as there a total of four. We are usually accustomed to singing just the first verse. Each one is poignant.
It was written by Katherine Lee Bates in 1893 during a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado. I won’t go into the story of how she wrote each verse, that would be a great thing for you to research. It wasn’t a song at first but became one when it set to music by Samuel A. Ward, which went to another song and it fit this one perfectly. So now we have the song.
Oh beautiful for spacious skies
for amber waves of grain
for purple mountain majesties
upon the fruited plain.
Oh beautiful for pilgrim feet whose stern, impassioned stress.
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
Oh 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
Oh beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears!
Hope you all had a wonderful and memorable 4th of July.
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