America the Beautiful

11/08/11

If the reader is like most, as soon as the title to this blog was read, notes began flowing through their heads, and the infamous song giving tribute to the greatest country in the world began playing in their minds. If words could create their own music, that song would be the backdrop of this entry, and the emphasis on the words “God shed His grace on thee” would be the prevalent theme. America is indeed ever so beautiful, and it is kept that way by men and women in the armed forces who know how precious this wonderful commodity is that many take advantage of every day.

“Spacious skies, amber waves of grain, purple mountains majesties, fruited plain” are just a few of the references that are made by Katharine Lee Bates who wrote the famous and well loved song. The melody was composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward, and the protection for the ability to enjoy the references made within it is due to people who sacrifice their lives daily that others may enjoy this beautiful country.

As Veterans Day approaches, and this wonderful tune fills the ears of recipients from around this great country, may the words of the third stanza be noted and observed,

“O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.

Who more than self their country loved,

and mercy more than life!”

Once again, thank you to those who serve to protect and preserve such a wonderful place to live for others to whom you do not know. May God's grace indeed be upon thee.

Until tomorrow...Why Say More?

America the Beautiful

Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
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!