God Save America

In 1831, Samuel Francis Smith penned lyrics to the theme of "God Save the King" that became a new song under a new name, "America." Smith chose the melody that evoked British imperialism, juxtaposing it with lyrics that prayed for liberty and freedom. While it was never officially the anthem of the United States, it stood as a de facto anthem for almost a century, and stayed relevant during the Civil Rights Movement, being referenced by MLK Jr. and sung by Aretha Franklin at the first inauguration of Barack obama in 2009.

This arrangement of the tune, when I first came across it, reminded me of Smith's version of the lyrics. It is full of pride and hope, but clouded by the ever-present reality that Liberty is not free, nor is it a guarantee. Lately, that reality seems closer than it has during my lifetime. I made this recording to share my prayer:

My country, 'tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing;

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims' pride,

From ev'ry mountainside

Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee,

Land of the noble free,

Thy name I love;

I love thy rocks and rills,

Thy woods and templed hills;

My heart with rapture thrills,

Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,

And ring from all the trees

Sweet freedom's song;

Let mortal tongues awake;

Let all that breathe partake;

Let rocks their silence break,

The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God, to thee,

Author of liberty,

To thee we sing;

Long may our land be bright

With freedom's holy light;

Protect us by thy might,

Great God, our King.