The Hymnal 1982 ‎#719

719. O beautiful for spacious skies

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 heroes proved
in liberating strife,
who more than self their country loved,
and mercy more than life!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
confirm thy soul in self-control,
thy liberty in law.

3 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.

Text Information

• First Line: O beautiful for spacious skies
• Author: Katherine Lee Bates, 1859-1929 (alt.)
• Meter: CMD
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1985
• Topic: National Songs

Tune Information

• Name: MATERNA
• Composer: Samuel Augustus Ward, 1848-1903
• Meter: CMD
• Key: C Major