My Country 'Tis of Thee
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The text for this beloved patriotic song was written by Samuel Francis Smith (1805-1895) while he was studying at Andover Theological Seminary in 1831. Smith was approached by the famed organist and composer Lowell Mason, who had with him … Read More
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The text for this beloved patriotic song was written by Samuel Francis Smith (1805-1895) while he was studying at Andover Theological Seminary in 1831. Smith was approached by the famed organist and composer Lowell Mason, who had with him some German school music books. Mason wanted Smith to either translate the German, or write new text for the tunes. Smith was particularly struck by one tune, from the Thesaurus Musicus, C. 1745 (most likely unaware that it was the same melody as "God Save the King") and wrote his lyrics to it. The song was first presented by Mason on July 4, 1831, at a children's service at the Park Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts. This setting features verses one and four of his four-stanza text. The first verse presents the faith we have in our freedom in America while the fourth verse reinforces the God given right to freedom and our faith in Him for granting us liberty. Written in a flowing and expressive text painting of this beautiful patriotic song, the music strives to convey the beauty and grandeur of our country.