Free Philosophical Discussions

Our National Anthem

I've always been very patriotic. But, I've never really liked our national anthem. I think it's a song about war and little else. There are times when wars may be required but, there is much more to American than our ability to fight wars. Many would claim that you have to be a "hawk" to be patriotic. I disagree. I believe that there are other songs, perhaps yet unwritten, that could convey a sense of national pride without focusing souly on our military exploits. sometimes we sing a song without focusing on the words. Yet if the same song were just a poem we'd pay closer attention to the meaning. With this in mind please read the following poem and see if you don't agree that this is a better expression of our national identity.


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.

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.

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.