Happy 247th birthday, America!
Even with all its faults and problems, I believe America is still the best place on earth to live. I’m so thankful to be here, so thankful for all the men and women — past, present, and future — who protect us and fight for our freedom.
As with many holidays, music is entrenched in what I associate with July 4.
So many patriotic songs celebrating America have been written over the years.
Though they’re not the National Anthem, two of my favorites (for the images they paint and for their singability 😉) have always been “My Country, ‘tis of Thee” and “America, the Beautiful.”
From “My Country, ‘tis of Thee” (also known as “America”):
My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
~ Samuel Francis Smith, 1831
From “America, the Beautiful” (first written as a poem called “Pike’s Peak” published July 4, 1895):
O beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,
For purple mountains’ majesty, across the fruited plains,
America, America, God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
~ Katharine Lee Bates, 1895 (poem) and 1910 (first time with music)
And, of course, it’s hard to beat Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” and the pride and camaraderie it evokes. Have you ever been somewhere it was played and not heard people joining in? My guess is, probably not.
God has blessed us in so many ways. May we continue to seek and honor Him, and pray that He continues to bless this incredible country.
Your turn: What is your prayer for America today? Or, what is your favorite song about America? Share your thoughts below to encourage someone else.
As with many holidays, music is entrenched in what we might associate with July 4. What’s your favorite song about America? #livinginfaith #GodblessAmerica Share on X