Nice extended live version of Ray Charles singing “America the Beautiful” - which really should be the national anthem and only missed out doing so narrowly. Much superior in sentiment. Ray Charles - America the Beautiful Treat yourself on the Fourth to becoming a paid subscriber to support That’s Another Fine Mess. Only $7/month or $70/year.
The National Anthem wasn’t really a thing until Woodrow Wilson’s presidency and was used to gin up popular support for getting involved in the Great War (along with a lot of other not so cool things like seizing the property of Germans living in the U.S.). But America the Beautiful is a much better piece of music than the former British drinking song that we’re saddled with…much easier on the ears and throat.
I was just gonna say that. but from the get-go, it's a song that celebrates war. since it's the national anthem, it's not hard to gather that its implication is that we are most ourselves when we're fighting...and winning, but only barely. it also celebrates flag-waving, which I personally despise.
a terrible message, if you ask me.
plus everybody hates singing it because it's hard to sing.
if the country wants a war song, I'll always take the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," although I figure it gets a lot less popular down south. it certainly should.
in the light pink Jewish Federation camp I went to as a kid, it was always "America the Beautiful," followed by "This Land Is Your Land" with ALL the verses.
“O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years; Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears. America, America, God mend thine every flaw. Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law.”
I take comfort in those words, and firmly believe that America the Beautiful should be our national anthem, written by an American woman.
Couldn't agree more. "The Star Spangled Banner" is unsingable for most Americans. Who doesn't cringe near the end of it hoping to avoid an ear assault?
I’m partial to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, but it’s certainly not secular and too Union for the southern states. A favorite bit of screenwriting is in “High Noon” where Kane goes to the church for help. The congregation is singing the Battle Hymn as he enters. But it’s not the familiar part. It’s the latter verse, which speaks of “sifting out the hearts of men before his judgement seat” and brother does that foretell what’s coming next. Even better than Otto Kruger talking about the return of the Greek tyrant early on. But America the Beautiful would have been a better choice. Of course, we didn’t have national anthem until 1931. Felix the Cat has been on Navy planes longer than we’ve had a National Anthem.
Star Spangled Banner got a leg up on America the Beautiful in 1896 at the first modern Olympics (which the US team swept) when the Greek bandmaster asked the leader of the US team whether he should play SSB or ATB when the IS won and the team leader chose SSB. (He was a terrible misogynist even for those days and didn't like ATB because it had been written by a woman)
Jan, thanks. You have heard the story of the '68 World Series, I take it? If not, here's the short version. Gaye sang the Anthem before Game 4. He was hired by Ernie Harwell, the Hall of Fame announcer, who also hired Jose Feliciano for Game 5. Harwell told Gaye to sing it 'straight,' and he did. Jose, however, was given no instruction and sang "the 10-minute version" per Mickey Lolich, the Tigers pitcher that day. People were incensed and there were calls for him to 'go back to his own country' even though Feliciano was an American citizen. It got ridiculous.
Jan, it was pure Mavin Gaye, so, another song altogether; it was no American National Anthem to my ears but a special interpretation of sounds a la the musical genius. He has been a singer that I have always cherished. Even his walk to mic was like no other. I also love basketball, NBA style. Thank you, Jan., for putting Marvin Gaye in my soul before breakfast this morning.
Ray Charles seeing beauty in a blind country. Leaves me speechless.
The National Anthem wasn’t really a thing until Woodrow Wilson’s presidency and was used to gin up popular support for getting involved in the Great War (along with a lot of other not so cool things like seizing the property of Germans living in the U.S.). But America the Beautiful is a much better piece of music than the former British drinking song that we’re saddled with…much easier on the ears and throat.
Plus, it's only sung in the first verse.
Yeah. The third verse is horrid.
I was just gonna say that. but from the get-go, it's a song that celebrates war. since it's the national anthem, it's not hard to gather that its implication is that we are most ourselves when we're fighting...and winning, but only barely. it also celebrates flag-waving, which I personally despise.
a terrible message, if you ask me.
plus everybody hates singing it because it's hard to sing.
if the country wants a war song, I'll always take the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," although I figure it gets a lot less popular down south. it certainly should.
in the light pink Jewish Federation camp I went to as a kid, it was always "America the Beautiful," followed by "This Land Is Your Land" with ALL the verses.
America The Beautiful
Song by Ray Charles
Oh 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
'Til all success be nobleness
And every gain divined
And you know when I was in school
We used to sing it something like this, listen here
Oh beautiful, for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
But now wait a minute, I'm talking about
America, sweet America
You know, God done shed his grace on thee
He crowned thy good, yes he did, in brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
You know, I wish I had somebody to help me sing this
(America, America, God shed his grace on thee)
America, I love you America, you see
My God he done shed his grace on thee
And you oughta love him for it
'Cause he, he, he, he crowned thy good
He told me he would, with brotherhood
(From sea to shining Sea)
Oh Lord, oh Lord, I thank you Lord
(Shining sea)
Source: LyricFind
“O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years; Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears. America, America, God mend thine every flaw. Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law.”
I take comfort in those words, and firmly believe that America the Beautiful should be our national anthem, written by an American woman.
Thanks Fern!
Sure as heck better than bombs bursting in air.
I might vote for Woody Guthrie, This land is your land... but I'm not quibbling with your suggestion.
And while not exactly a national anthem, these two songs are very evocative (Simon and Garfunkel)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-DVFSD4CK8
Ha! We played that, America the Beautiful AND tithe Banner at our performance yesterday!
I play Ray's version every 4th of July and 2 or 3 times through the year just as a reminder.
Couldn't agree more. "The Star Spangled Banner" is unsingable for most Americans. Who doesn't cringe near the end of it hoping to avoid an ear assault?
What a national treasure!
I’m partial to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, but it’s certainly not secular and too Union for the southern states. A favorite bit of screenwriting is in “High Noon” where Kane goes to the church for help. The congregation is singing the Battle Hymn as he enters. But it’s not the familiar part. It’s the latter verse, which speaks of “sifting out the hearts of men before his judgement seat” and brother does that foretell what’s coming next. Even better than Otto Kruger talking about the return of the Greek tyrant early on. But America the Beautiful would have been a better choice. Of course, we didn’t have national anthem until 1931. Felix the Cat has been on Navy planes longer than we’ve had a National Anthem.
Star Spangled Banner got a leg up on America the Beautiful in 1896 at the first modern Olympics (which the US team swept) when the Greek bandmaster asked the leader of the US team whether he should play SSB or ATB when the IS won and the team leader chose SSB. (He was a terrible misogynist even for those days and didn't like ATB because it had been written by a woman)
And not even Avery Brundage.
Beautiful.
Brother Ray, followed closely by Marvin's 1983 version of the SSB. https://theathletic.com/4153452/2023/02/16/marvin-gaye-nba-all-star-game-national-anthem-remembered/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983
Kent, your link was to an article written by two fellows for 'the athlete' a sports outlet with a paywall, so, even the article was not available.
Try this:
https://youtu.be/p2KYZ1BritY
Jan, thanks. You have heard the story of the '68 World Series, I take it? If not, here's the short version. Gaye sang the Anthem before Game 4. He was hired by Ernie Harwell, the Hall of Fame announcer, who also hired Jose Feliciano for Game 5. Harwell told Gaye to sing it 'straight,' and he did. Jose, however, was given no instruction and sang "the 10-minute version" per Mickey Lolich, the Tigers pitcher that day. People were incensed and there were calls for him to 'go back to his own country' even though Feliciano was an American citizen. It got ridiculous.
Jan, it was pure Mavin Gaye, so, another song altogether; it was no American National Anthem to my ears but a special interpretation of sounds a la the musical genius. He has been a singer that I have always cherished. Even his walk to mic was like no other. I also love basketball, NBA style. Thank you, Jan., for putting Marvin Gaye in my soul before breakfast this morning.
My pleasure.
"The Athletic." There is a paywall, yes, but I *thought* it was free. (That's what I get for thinking). Anyhow, Jan posted the you-tube video.