July 3, 2015 (Friday)
The song, “America,” or “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” was composed in 1832 by Rev. Samuel F. Smith. It reflects “One nation under God,” and our national motto, “In God we trust.” Against all odds, the American colonies won their independence. With vigor equal to the strength of their spirit in battle, the early leaders of our nation forged ahead to build a country based upon “liberty and justice for all.”
This song is a prayer. Its words reflect our love for God and country. Hopefully, they express how each of us feels about our nation on this Fourth of July, to be celebrated tomorrow.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.