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 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 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!
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 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!
Thanks, 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? Hope you had a Happy 4Th!
Hope you had a wonderful 4th! I 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.
Dear Jane, Aren'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!
Dear Martha, It 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!)
Dear Kay, Oh 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 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!