"America the Beautiful" is an American patriotic song and Christian hymn which rivals the national anthem of the United States ("The Star-Spangled Banner") in popularity.
There was a movement during the John F. Kennedy administration to legally make "America the Beautiful" legal status as a national anthem equal with "The Star-Spangled Banner," but this never succeeded in becoming national law. Some people prefer "America the Beautiful," saying it is easier to sing, more melodic, and more adaptable to new orchestrations while still remaining as easily recognizable as "The Star-Spangled Banner."
The words are by Katharine Lee Bates to commemorate the Fourth of July. It was first composed in the summer of 1893 in Bates' hotel room where she reflected upon her visit to the top of Pikes Peak [1], with amended versions in 1904 and 1913. The traditional music is the hymn Materna, composed in 1882 by Samuel A. Ward.
Popularity of the song soared following the September 11, 2001 attacks; at some sporting events it was sung in addition to the traditional singing of the national anthem.
Ray Charles is credited with the song's most famous rendition. His recording is very commonly played at major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl.
Lyrics
Oh 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.
Oh beautiful, for pilgrims' feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw;
Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law!
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,
'Til all success be nobleness, and ev'ry gain divine!
Oh beautiful, for patriot's 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!
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