 "God bless America, land that I love / Stand beside her and guide her / Through the night with the light from above..." From "God Bless America" by Irving Berlin, 1918, updated 1938. (Pictured: Irving Berlin performs for a CBS Radio show, circa 1935. (Photo by FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images) |
It should come as no surprise that some of the most heartfelt music about our nation was penned by an immigrant, Irving Berlin. His biography reports that he was born Israel Baline in a Jewish village in the Russian Empire. After it was attacked by an anti-Semitic mob, his family realized America was their only hope, settling in Manhattan's Lower East Side in search of opportunity but -- more important -- freedom.
Few know America's exceptionalism better than those who have borne witness to the deprivations of other lands.
When one considers Berlin's lyrics the reader can appreciate why many call it America's unofficial anthem.
God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above
From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home
God bless America, my home sweet home
Berlin knew why he was writing lyrics from his American soul. He is quoted as stating, "My ambition is to reach the heart of the average American........the real soul of the country...."
There have been other patriots whose words and music have created a legacy that continue to honor the spirit of our nation. George M. Cohan wrote Yankee Doodle Dandy, You're a Grand Old Flag and Over There as well as many of other hits that are part of America's songbook.
So patriotic was Cohan that biographers say he insisted that he was born on the Fourth of July rather than the Third which is noted on his birth certificate. Not surprisingly, his efforts through music were recognized by Washington in 1940 with the award of a Congressional Gold Medal.
The list of patriotic song writers is long and proud, a reflection of those who recognize the power of music and words to serve as a dynamic and memorable tribute to those Americans who continue to keep alive the flame of freedom in our nation.
A song whose lyrics should be better known is entitled "What is America to me..." sung by Frank Sinatra. Its words include the lines...
The things I see about me
The big things and the small
The little corner newsstand
And the house a mile tall
The wedding and the churchyard
A laughter and the tears
And the dream that's been a growing
For a hundred and eighty years
There is also a contemporary generation of American song writers who seek to capture the spirit, hope, and heritage of our nation. God Bless the U.S.A. was penned by Lee Greenwood, and the legendary Johnny Cash gave us a reverent Ragged Old Flag whose words can still put a lump in your throat.
...she's in good shape for the shape she's in
'Cause she's been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more
So we raise her up every morning
We take her down every night
We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up right
On second thought, I do like to brag
'Cause I'm mighty proud of that ragged old flag
Whatever your preference is in music, at a time when too many in our nation are questioning our values, our future, and ourselves, we should pause long enough to listen to the songs written by patriots who have sought to rally our spirits. Their lyrics provide us with the inspiration to "...we raise her up every morning, We take her down every night, We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up right..."
Lawrence Kadish serves on the Board of Governors of Gatestone Institute.
Douglas Hugh Mc Clintock