
America the Beautiful
'America the Beautiful' Summary
"America the Beautiful" is a patriotic poem written by Katharine Lee Bates in 1893. The poem celebrates the beauty and greatness of America, from its "spacious skies" to its "amber waves of grain" and "purple mountain majesties." It is a hymn to the natural beauty of America and the spirit of its people.
Katharine Lee Bates wrote the poem after a trip to Colorado, where she was struck by the natural beauty of the American West. She was inspired by the beauty of the landscape and the sense of possibility and freedom that it embodied. The poem was published in 1895 and quickly became popular as a patriotic hymn.
Over the years, "America the Beautiful" has been set to music and sung at patriotic events, including Fourth of July celebrations and political rallies. The song has become an enduring symbol of American patriotism and national pride. It has been recorded by countless musicians, from Ray Charles to Elvis Presley, and continues to inspire and uplift people all over the world.
But the poem is more than just a celebration of America's natural beauty. It is also a call to action, urging Americans to live up to the ideals of freedom and justice that the country represents. Bates wrote the poem during a time of great social and political change in America, and she was deeply committed to social justice and equality. She believed that America could be a force for good in the world, but only if its people were willing to work together to build a better future.
In the final verse of the poem, Bates writes:
"America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!"
These words are a reminder that America's greatness lies not just in its natural beauty, but in the spirit of unity and cooperation that can make the country great. "America the Beautiful" is a timeless reminder of the best that America can be, and an inspiration to all those who believe in the power of hope and possibility.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
1893Authors

Katharine Lee Bates
United States
Katharine Lee Bates was an American author and poet, chiefly remembered for her anthem "America the Beautiful", but also for her many books and articles on social reform, on which she was a noted spea...
Books by Katharine Lee BatesDownload eBooks
Unfortunately, no ebooks exist for this book, yet...
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books

A Maiden To Her Mirror by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Our maiden reflects on growing old.

Farm Ballads by Will Carleton
"In Farm Ballads, Will Carleton captures the simple beauty of rural life in a series of poems that are both heartwarming and humorous." Farm Ballads...

Over The Brazier by Robert Graves
It features a series of poems that offer a deeply personal and poignant reflection on the experience of war. The title of the collection is drawn fro...

Rainbow Gold: Poems Old and New Selected for Boys and Girls by Various
This book, compiled by renowned poet Sara Teasdale, is a collection of poems aimed at capturing the imagination of young readers. The poems, selected...

Sonnets by Julia Caroline Dorr
This book contains a collection of sonnets by Julia Caroline Dorr, focusing on themes of love, nature, and the human experience. Dorr's sonnets explor...

Negro's Complaint by William Cowper
The Negro's Complaint is a powerful anti-slavery poem written by English poet William Cowper in 1788. Through this work, Cowper channels the perspecti...

Lights by Sara Teasdale
'Lights' is a collection of poems by Sara Teasdale, known for her lyrical style and exploration of themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human...

From Queen's Gardens by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Step into the enchanting world of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poetic masterpiece, "From Queen's Gardens." Like a delicate thread woven through time,...

Poesies from Abroad by Florence Henniker
Florence Henniker was a British poet and novelist whose ‘Poesies from Abroad’ was first published in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine in September 1889....

Present Crisis by James Russell Lowell
James Russell Lowell's "The Present Crisis" is a powerful and stirring poem that reflects the anxieties and moral dilemmas of the United States on the...
Reviews for America the Beautiful
No reviews posted or approved, yet...