Writer of America the Beautiful was anti-imperialist America

[RamboLiberal]

I learn something new everyday. I didn't know this, but Katherine Lee Bates who wrote America the Beautiful lyrics also wrote this about our occupation and war in the Phillipines in the early 1900's. Applies equally well today. Give this to the flag-wavers who sing the lyrics.

II. In the Philippines

Silvery rice-fields whisper wide
How for home and freedom their owners died.

We've set the torch to their bamboo town,
And out they come in a scampering rush,
Little brown men with spears.
Shoot!
Down they go in a crush,
Sickening smears,
Hideous writhing huddles and heaps
Under the palms and the mango-trees.
More, still more! Shoot 'em down
Like brown jack-rabbits that scoot
With comical leaps
Out of the brush.
No loot?
No prisoners, then. As for these --
Hush!

The flag that dreamed of delivering
Shudders and droops like a broken wing.

Silvery rice-felds whisper wide
How for home and freedom their owners died.

http://www.boondocksnet.com/ai/lit/bates07.html

[pinkpops]

1. Much better song than God Bless America

I remember the close of the all-networks musical salute after 9/11. It started with Bruce Springstein, ended with Willie Nelson, that great American, singing that great American song "America the Beautiful", a salure to the beauty of the land.

[Another Bill C.]

2. While you're at it,

you could also point out that the author of the Pledge of Allegiance was a Socialist (Francis Bellamy).

[RamboLiberal]

3. Yes and Under God was not in original pledge

Imagine the generations, including "the Greatest generation" never felt the need to say "Under God" when they recited the Pledge in school!

[Lars39]

8. There was also considerable controversy at one time that he was the

actual author.

[Pale_Rider]

4. Also to be considered is the Pledge of Allegiance ...

... which was written by Francis Bellamy, a socialist and Baptist minister.

http://history.vineyard.net//pledge.htm

BTW: oops, didn't see the previous post.

[Kanary]

5. Pike's Peak

There's a rather large sign at the spot on Pike's Peak where the author was supposed to have been inspired to write America The Beautiful. I think I'll print out this other verse in very large print, and attach it to the sign. ~~evil grin~~

Thanks for posting this!

Kanary

[shance]

6. Thanks for sharing this.

I have not felt good singing the Star Spangled Banner with its "bombs bursting in air" for a while now. It was brought to my attention by a old college roomate of mine who used to be Republican as well.

We both agree that America the Beautiful should be the National Anthem. At some point, we should work to make this so.

My thoughts.

[Silverhair]

7. Those came later, not the first writing.

Here is a link:
http://www.startribune.com/stories/1694/2255842.html

Ms. Bates was indeed conserned with social justice. Look at the words in this first verse of the song:

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control

thy liberty in law!


And this from the third:

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

Till selfish gain no longer stain

The banner of the free!

As the article states, the selfish gain refered to the industrial robber barons of the time.

She loved this country and wanted it to improve to live up to its ideals. I would say that things have gotten a lot better in 100 years, and will continue to improve. But that will take a lot of work.