America the Beautiful
by Katharine Lee Bates
Bates' inspiration for writing America the Beautiful came near Pikes Peak, Colorado, when she was teaching at Colorado College in 1893: "One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000-foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse."
It was first published in The Congregationalist to commemorate the Fourth of July, 1895, and instantly became popular. Amended versions were published in 1904 and 1911. The song, recorded by Charlie Rich, hit number 22 on the Hot Country Songs of 1976. We offer the original poem below the more popular version.
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 for 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!
Original poem (1893)
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 pilgrim feet Whose stern, 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 or 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 Till nobler men keep once again Thy whiter jubilee!
America the Beautiful was featured as The Short Story of the Day on Wed, Aug 12, 2020
Featured in our collection of American Patriotic Songs. You may also enjoy You're A Grand Old Flag and other patriotic tunes by George M. Cohan
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Return to the Katharine Lee Bates Home Page, or . . . Read the next poem; Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride
