America the Beautiful

America the Beautiful

Words by Katharine Lee Bates,

Melody by Samuel Ward

Oh, 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!

Oh, 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!

Oh, 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!

Oh, 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!

I have always loved the fourth of July--it's my favorite holiday. I was slightly saddened this year by hearing the people I love talk about not even acknowledging the holiday because they are upset with the current leadership of this nation. Well, let me tell you something. This land we have today was fought for valiantly--it was won by blood, sweat, & tears. Every inch of American soil was purchased by the shedding of blood by every man who fought and/or died for our independence and we need never forget that.

I am so grateful that I live in America. I have visited and lived in other countries and while I appreciate what I learned there, nothing compares to the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans. It's time we acknowledged them and fought for them--against anyone who might try to take them away from us. But don't ever, EVER tell me that America is no longer a great place to live because I know that that is a lie. I love you, America. God Bless the USA.