I WOULD MAKE THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL ANTHEM “AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL” instead of that long-winded question, ode to war drinking song which nobody can sing, THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL represents all that is good about our nation. For those who cannot see that this is a nation built on a foundation of God’s principals and don’t care for the line “…God shed His grace on thee…,” you can change that line to “…come shed your grace on thee…” It works. But really, our national motto is IN GOD WE TRUST. Get over it. And if you are sensitive to our neighbors to the north, which are also part of America, then petition to move the United States border 100 miles north and you will encompass over 80% of the Canadian population. As for Mexico, they don’t complain as much and it is usually in Spanish so most folks don’t know what they are saying anyway.
Seriously – compare the two songs, one being a long-winded question dedicated to war and the other about the natural and historical wonders that make the United States unique.
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
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 ’til nobler men keep once again Thy whiter jubilee!
