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From:  sopran@a...
sopran@a...
Date:  Thu Sep 13, 2001  6:53 pm
Subject:  Re: [vocalist] America the Beautiful


<<I'd prefer to sing "My country, 'tis of thee", frankly. The message, it
seems to me, is more affirming not just of the beauty of the country, but
of the sweetness of the Liberty that is such an integral part of our very
fibre.>>

Karen,

If there were only one verse to America the Beautiful I would agree with you,
but there are more. It's by far the best expression I know of the spirit of
American liberty.

O beautiful for Pilgrim feet
Whose firm 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.

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