I’m a sucker for inspirational songs with great lyrics, so I decided to review some of America’s patriotic gems for celebrating this Fourth of July.

This is a time in the history of our beloved country for unity and renewed commitment to the land we love. What follows are excerpts from some selected great lyrics of patriotic works that complement and add to our national anthem. I hope they will serve as inspiration to all as we salute the greatest country in the world on its 239th birthday.

‘America’

“My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims pride, from every mountain side, let freedom ring. … Our father’s 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.” (lyrics by Samuel F. Smith)

‘God Bless America’

“While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free, Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. God bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her, thru the night with a light from above. From the mountains to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam, God bless America, My home, sweet home. (lyrics by Irving Berlin)

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‘America, the Beautiful’

“O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesties, above the fruited plain. America, America! God shed his light on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea. … Confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law. O beautiful for heroes prov’d, in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life. America, America! God shed his grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.” (lyrics by Katharine Lee Bates).

‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’

The greatest hymn written to honor our country may be the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” the lyrics of which were written by Julia Ward Howe.

“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on. … He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat; Oh, be swift, my soul to answer him! Be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on. In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me. As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, while God is marching on.”

When I ponder what it means to be an American, words from songs and speeches consistently remind me that we owe so much to so many. Many gave some, some gave all, in a full measure of devotion to the United States of America. Another prevalent theme remains that God died for us, and has greatly blessed America, while many of our fellow Americans have died to set men free. Despite our many problems, my chest still bursts with pride that I am an American. Those who come to us from other lands must learn to assimilate quickly to earn that same pride.

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My favorite patriotic song comes from a surprising source; songwriter and country western singer, Lee Greenwood. I met Lee when WKCG, a country western station I created — the first in central Maine — sponsored his appearance at the Augusta Civic Center. He is a great man and a truly patriotic American. His song, “God Bless the USA,” was played frequently on the radio in the days following Sept. 11, 2001.

“If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life. And I had to start again with just my children and my wife, I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today, ’cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away. I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died and gave that right to me. And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA.”

In closing, I offer my pledge: “I pledge allegiance to the United States of America, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

We are still lucky to be Americans.

Don Roberts, a former city councilor and former vice chairman of the Charter Commission in Augusta, is a trustee of the Greater Augusta Utility District.


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