Happy 248th Birthday to the U.S.A.! :)

Hello everyone – 

On this Independence Day weekend, when we celebrate the 248^th birthday of the U.S.A., I’m turning the microphone over to Sophie again by way of introduction. Here she is, our wonderful Quotemaster! 😊

In today's Quotemail, we will be sharing a few patriotic- or July Fourth-themed pieces, including "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean," a wonderful, stirring American naval song, and "America the Beautiful," a classic, uplifting American patriotic ode that still stands tall over the years as one of the best poems celebrating America.

 

“Columbia the Gem of the Ocean” (1843)

By David T. Shaw & Thomas A. Becket, Sr.

Editor’s Note: This patriotic song served as an unofficial national anthem for the United States until 1931. It was especially popular during the Civil War Era (1861-1865).

1. O Columbia! the gem of the ocean,

The home of the brave and the free,

The shrine of each patriot’s devotion,

A world offers homage to thee;

Thy mandates make heroes assemble,

When Liberty’s form stands in view;

Thy banners make tyranny tremble,

When borne by the red, white, and blue.

When borne by the red, white, and blue,

When borne by the red, white, and blue,

Thy banners make tyranny tremble,

When borne by the red, white and blue.

 

2. When war winged its wide desolation,

And threatened the land to deform,

The ark then of freedom’s foundation,

Columbia rode safe through the storm;

With her garlands of victory around her,

When so proudly she bore her brave crew;

With her flag proudly waving before her,

The boast of the red, white and blue.

The boast of the red, white and blue,

The boast of the red, white, and blue,

With her flag proudly floating before her,

The boast of the red, white and blue.

 

3. The Union, the Union forever,

Our glorious nation’s sweet hymn,

May the wreaths it has won never wither,

Nor the stars of its glory grow dim,

May the service united never sever,

But they to their colors prove true.

The Army and Navy forever,

Three cheers for the red, white, and blue.

Three cheers for the red, white, and blue,

Three cheers for the red, white, and blue,

The Army and Navy forever,

Three cheers for the red, white and blue.

 

“America the Beautiful” (1895)

By Katherine Lee Bates (1859-1929)

 

1. 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.

 

2. O beautiful for pilgrim feet

Whose stern impassioned stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat

Across the wilderness.

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law.

 

3. O 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,

Till all success be nobleness,

And every gain divine.

 

4. 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.

 

BONUS FEATURE!

Here’s a link to a legend about George Washington, which first appeared in print (anonymously) during the 1800s. Its ultimate source is unknown, and its veracity is unverifiable. However, it is an inspiring tale, for all that, so here’s the link for your reading pleasure.

“The Legend of the Wissahickon”

https://www.reversespins.com/Wissahickon.html

 

The story described in the “Legend of the Wissahickon” took place in a Rosicrucian chapel, somewhere in the Pennsylvania wilderness, perhaps not far from (and in association with) the Ephrata Cloister (https://ephratacloister.org/), the site of an esoteric Protestant Christian community since 1732.

 

Happy 248^th Birthday to the U.S.A.! 😊

 

Rob & Sophie