In 1893, Katherine Lee Bates wrote the words to "America, The Beautiful" when she was teaching English at a college in Colorado. When she went up the 14,000 foot Pike's Peak, she went up by a wagon but for the last part, she had to ride on a mule...and although she was tired, she was rewarded by a beautiful sight! In her words: "When I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse." It inspired her to write this...
O beautiful for spacious skies,For amber waves of grain,For purple mountain majestiesAbove 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 halcyon skies,For amber waves of grain,For purple mountain majestiesAbove the enameled plain!America! America!God shed His grace on thee,Till souls wax fair as earth and airAnd music-hearted sea! The words were changed a bit but the second verse that Norah Jones sings here is the exact wording of the original poem by Katherine Lee Bates. (And you know, I have both for you here!)
There are a lot of videos of this song, but I liked this one...just sung simply and straight from the heart, because I think that is what this country is all about. Happy 4th of July!
Happy Independence Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you and I hope you had a good one too!
DeleteHappy 4th of July, Kay! Norah Jones has a lovely voice, doesn't she? She has a cameo in the recent movie "Ted" but is not quite so demure as she is in this video, LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debra and I like the polite way that you say that she is not quite so demure! I know "Ted" might be funny but I wonder if it is good for us to use a Teddy Bear in an R-rated movie? Oh dear, I love Jim Henson so much, I wonder what he would think?
DeleteHope you had a Happy 4Th!
I feel honored that I have stood at the BOTTOM of pike's peak :-)
ReplyDeleteThis song resonates through me and has since kindergarten . Even in these sad political times I feel pride when I hear it
America is a beautiful land
Happy fourth, Kay
Love
kj
Hope you had a wonderful 4th!
DeleteI also love this song and the Colorado Rockies are amazing, like much of the rest of the NATURAL beauty of this land...that is one of the reasons I admire the people who work so hard to preserve it.
I've always loved the words to this one. So interesting to learn the history behind them. Have a wonderful celebration :)
ReplyDeleteDear Jane,
DeleteAren't the words so beautiful? And I was a child when I learned that a woman wrote it from the Colorado Rockies, made me proud to think of that!
It was a fantastic day!
Happy 4th of July, Kay! I hope you're having a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteDear Martha,
DeleteIt was wonderful!
My Dad cooked and he is the best cook ever!!
Here was what he made: Fried chicken, pork roast BBQ, green beans, fried okra, biscuits and gravy, tomatoes, and watermelon! (The green beans, okra, and tomatoes from his own garden!)
Oh yes! I love her A cappella rendition. Her voice is so beautiful. Very lovely and perfect for today.
ReplyDeleteDear Kay,
DeleteOh thanks so much! I didn't want anything from a ballpark or anything that sounded overly dramatic, just a beautiful voice, all alone...so glad you liked it!
Happy 4th of July! God save the Queen! :-)
ReplyDeleteHey Don!
DeleteThanks! And you know that I say both! :-)
I've always thought that a beautiful song. And I love Norah Jones rendition of it. Simple and lovely.
ReplyDeleteDear Beth,
DeleteI have always loved it and I am glad you like this video that I found.
Look forward to your grateful posts!