Katharine Lee Bates was an American poet, educator, and hymn writer, best remembered for composing the lyrics to the iconic song America the Beautiful.
Bates was a professor at Wellesley College and a passionate advocate for women’s rights, dedicating much of her life to advancing equality and education for women.
Her profound impact on American culture and her ability to capture the essence of the nation’s beauty continue to connect today.
About the Song
America the Beautiful is a patriotic song, celebrating the natural beauty and values of the United States.
Its lyrics express admiration for the country’s landscapes, freedom, and the sacrifices made for its ideals. The song remains a powerful anthem of national spirit and unity.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Released | 1895 |
| Album | N/A (Not part of an album) |
| Writers | Katharine Lee Bates |
| Producers | N/A (Traditional arrangement) |
America the Beautiful Lyrics By Katharine Lee Bates
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 of 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!
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!
O beautiful for pilgrims feet
Whose stem 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!
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!
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!
Similar Songs Like America the Beautiful
Here are some songs similar to America the Beautiful, celebrating patriotism and the spirit of the United States:
- In The Merry Month Of May: A lighthearted and whimsical song celebrating the joys of spring, showcasing Bates’ versatility as a writer.
- This Land Is Your Land: Woody Guthrie’s iconic folk song celebrates the beauty of America and its inclusive spirit, emphasizing that the land belongs to all its people.
- God Bless America: Composed by Irving Berlin, this patriotic anthem expresses a heartfelt prayer for the country’s safety, prosperity, and unity.
Similar Writers Like Katharine Lee Bates
Check out some artists similar to Katharine Lee Bates, known for their patriotic or nature-inspired lyrics:
- Irving Berlin
Genre: Tin Pan Alley, Patriotic, Musical Theater
Top Albums: Irving Berlin: The Definitive Songbook - Woody Guthrie
Genre: Folk, Protest, Americana
Top Albums: Dust Bowl Ballads & This Land Is Your Land - John Philip Sousa
Genre: Marches, Classical
Top Albums: The Best of John Philip Sousa - Bing Crosby
Genre: Pop, Traditional Pop, Jazz, Patriotic
Top Albums: White Christmas & The Bing Crosby Christmas Album
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is America the Beautiful Important?
The song is a patriotic anthem that reflects patriotism and admiration for America’s vast landscapes and the freedom the country represents
Is America the Beautiful the National Anthem of the USA?
No, The Star-Spangled Banner is the official national anthem of the United States, but America the Beautiful is often sung at patriotic events.
Has America the Beautiful been Used in Political Campaigns?
Yes, the song has been used in numerous political campaigns and public events as a symbol of American unity and patriotism.
