America the Beautiful — Choir of Washington National Cathedral

The Choir of Washington National Cathedral, under the direction of Michael McCarthy, perform the American patriotic song 'America the Beautiful', with lyrics by Katherine Lee Bates and music by Samuel A. Ward. In this arrangement by McCarthy, a lone treble soloist opens the almost hymn-like piece.

'America the Beautiful' was performed as part of the national memorial service in September 2001, shortly after the attacks on Washington and New York City on September 11. I have uploaded it here in remembrance of the tenth anniversary of those attacks.

[ Lyrics: ]

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 heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country lov'd,
And mercy more than life.
America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

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.

[ Recording available on the disk 'America the Beautiful' (Washington National Cathedral Label, 2010). ]

Category:

Music

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