My Favorite Patriotic Songs

As you probably know already, the Fourth of July is this Tuesday. 🙂 Independence Day is such a fun day of the year! There are so many fun traditions that are different from those of all other holidays. I’m looking forward to baking a cake for after our meal and then going with my family and grandmother to a nearby park for fireworks! Last year we got rained out, so I’m hoping for good weather this year! 😉

On the Fourth of July everyone gets out their patriotic clothes, bakes cold or colorful summer desserts, and even the light show bursts with red white and blue! But even with all those festivities, I sometimes find it hard to focus on remembering what the day is really about. How can you really remind yourself of the importance of our freedom and all it costs? It isn’t something we talk about that much, and it’s not usually something we hear a sermon on, like at Christmas or Easter.

One way to make yourself stop and think about the meaning of the Fourth of July is to listen to a patriotic song. It’s a simple, easy thing to do, they put to words what we forget, and they are just a really good way of remembering what we’re celebrating with all of the food and lights!

Today I’m going to be talking about my very favorite patriotic songs. I’m confident you will have heard all of them at some point or the other, but that doesn’t mean you have nothing to gain from this post! I’ve done some research on the history and meaning of them as well, so that this post will definitely be worth your time! 😉

The Star-Spangled-Banner

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bomb bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? 

Not surprisingly, the first song up is the “Star Spangled Banner”! As our country’s national anthem, this song is sung before ball games and important occasions. It is a beautiful song, both in tune and meaning. It also happens to sound awful whenever I sing it (just a little fun fact…).

This song was written as a poem from a British ship during the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key was on the ship to negotiate the release of his friend who was held captive there. Although Key was successful in his mission, the two men were kept on the ship overnight while the battle raged. From his place on the ship it must have been hard to be sure of who was victorious, but he was not completely in the dark on the question. The flashes of light caused by the rockets and bombs lit up the site of the American flag still flying high over the battle. That site gave him reassurance all through the night that his country was not defeated yet.

You may be surprised to learn that the section of the song we all know so well is not all there is to “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Besides the beautiful words quoted above, there are three more stanzas, just as wonderful, but not nearly as known. I highly encourage you to go and look up the rest of the song. There is a strong sense of satisfaction that can be gained by doing so. Francis Scott Key knew what he was writing when he wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner,” and sadly, most of his lyrics are hardly ever heard. While the first stanzas of the song ask if the flag still waves, the rest of it goes on to reassure that not only does the flag still wave, but it waves with triumph over the land of the free and the home of the brave.

America the Beautiful

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!

This is another well known song about America that will always be loved. Next to “The Star Spangled Banner” I think it must be the most popular patriotic song. And for a good reason, too. The words of this song are lovely and beautiful to hear. Surprisingly, I got the most out of “America the Beautiful” by simply reading the lyrics. It reads as one of the most well written poems I’ve read, and every word is a splendid description of the beauty found in these States. And, like “The Star Spangled Banner”, there are several stanzas to it that aren’t as well known as the first.

It was written by a woman named Katherine Lee Bates in the late 1800’s. She was inspired to write it after her travels through the states that year. It was in the mountains of Colorado that she decided to actually begin and write it. In fact, it was first titled “Pike’s Peak” after the mountains that she was inspired by.

The song wasn’t paired with music until 1910 when it was published to the tune by Samuel Dave Ward (which had originally been written for an old hymn called “O Mother Dear, Jerusalem.” Today, I can’t imagine the words put to any music but that, and I can’t imagine the music to any other song.

God Bless the U. S. A.

And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up
Next to you and defend her still today
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA

The first memory I have of this song was several years ago in my church’s Fourth of July service. I didn’t know what it was called, but I loved all the words. I remember standing there with a feeling of deep pride and reverence for my country and the freedom it meant. In fact, I probably had no real idea of what a marvelous thing our country is at that time; but I knew from the song that it meant something.

This song was written in the 1980’s by a man named Lee Greenwood, making it by far the newest song mentioned in this post. It also has gone by the name “Proud to be an American”, and to tell you the truth, I can’t decide which name I like better! Both of them are such true themes of the song, and they weave together so nicely.

“God Bless the U. S. A.” sings about the passion and pride one has for their country. At the beginning of the song, Greenwood declares that if he were to lose everything he owned, there is no place he would rather be than America. He knows the cost and honor of the freedom given to us, and he does not take it for granted. It is a very powerful song that rouses you to remember all that we are thankful for in America, not just on Independence Day, but all throughout the year.

Final Thoughts

“The Star Spangled Banner”, “America the Beautiful”, and “God Bless the U. S. A.” are three of the most patriotic songs I know. Listening to them is the most sure way to remind me to be proud and grateful for our country and independence.

Why don’t you join me this Fourth of July by listening to these songs? Let’s remember the greatness of our wonderful country as we enjoy the fun and food. I hope you all have a splendid time celebrating our independence this Tuesday!

These are my favorite patriotic songs, but what are yours? Which ones did I leave out that you love? Let me know in the comments!