"America the Beautiful " a United States of America Travel Page by grandmaR

The hymn America the Beautiful was written by Katharine Lee Bates She wrote the original version in 1893. She wrote the 2nd version in 1904. Her final version was written in 1913.

This is the 1913 version. I cut out several stanzas at the end that were repetitive.

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

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!

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From sea (Pacific) Fisherman- Monterey CA

From sea

This link is to a a slide show of photos plus the music without the words. It is available on a CD, the profits from which go to various military charities. I have no financial interest in this - I just thought it was a beautiful movie.

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife.
Who more than self the 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

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Garden Key FL- from Ft. Jefferson NP to anchorage

to shining sea

to shining sea!

My parents used to belong to a camera club. There were about 10 couples who met every month at someone's house and brought slides to show on some theme. One of the popular themes was to illustrate songs (like "My favorite things"). I reached back in my memory to illustrate this hymn for my United States page.

Some people think that this should be the National Anthem instead of the Star Spangled Banner. It is much easier to sing.

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My philosophy for VT is to put the photographs and tips in the most accurate location. But for this page, I've deviated from that a little bit. I've tried to put into words and photographs the things about the United States that are unique. And I've also tried to give an overview to travelers that encompasses the whole country.

For instance I have some pictures of the native or original or common United States foods.

Under Restaurants are all the chain restaurants which are in more than one state. This will help someone who sees several signs and wants to know which one is likeliest to have something he likes to eat.

Under Hotels are also chain hotels that I have stayed in.

Under Off the Beaten Track are photos and interesting facts about the lighthouses that I have seen and directions to visit them if visitation is possible.