ORDER FORM | HOME PAGE | SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
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By Shepherd Hoodwin |
The evolution of consciousness is from simplistic to subtle, from black and white to shades of gray, from "either/or" to "and" or "all of the above." In examining our shadows, we are not invalidating what is good and right about America. It doesn't mean that we are blaming the victim if we acknowledge that the US may have acted in inappropriate ways that contribute to anger and resentment against us abroad. Rarely is a conflict completely one-sided; as the saying goes, it takes two to tango. It is always good to ask, "What was my part in this?"
We tend to rest on the laurels of our positive contributions to the world, many of them a generation or two ago, disregarding our less-than-admirable actions fueled by fear rather than generosity.
"American the Beautiful" has extraordinary lyrics, such as "Till selfish gain no longer stain the banner of the free!" It calls for us to improve ourselves and forsake the self-righteous attitudes sometimes confused with patriotism.
Here is the entire lyric:
AMERICA, THE BEAUTIFUL
Melody - "Materna" by Samuel Ward, 1882
Words by Katharine Lee Bates 1893, 1859-1929
1. O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good
With brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
2. O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern 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!
3. 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!
4. 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!
5. O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair
As earth and air
And music-hearted sea!
6. O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought
Through wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!
7. O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice, for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain
No longer stain
The banner of the free!
8. 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
Till nobler men
Keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!
