In 1832, Samuel Francis Smith was a 24-year-old theology student. Very poor, he earned money by writing and translating for other people.
One project he translated was a German patriotic song. As he worked, Samuel felt a great desire to create an inspiring anthem for Americans. Using spare scraps of paper, he set to work to create a national song to thank God for this great land.
I wonder if Samuel prayed and asked God for help. He must have been inspired because it took him less than thirty minutes to write “America,” a beautiful hymn we still love today.
Over the years, “America” has come to be called “My Country ‘tis of Thee” as well as "America."
Samuel Francis Smith went on to compose 150 hymns during his lifetime!
The music for “America” comes from the English anthem, “God Save the Queen.”
Note: PatrioticMoms.com is starting a "Patriotic Song of the Month" to help moms and their families learn the great music of America. Songs can carry powerful messages and encouragement to our hearts and minds right when we need it.
The song for April is "My Country 'Tis of Thee." See if you and your family can learn the story of the song and all four verses during the month of April. In my family, we will focus on one new verse each week until we can sing all four verses together.
My Country ‘Tis of Thee
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.
