America the Beautiful Duet
 

This arrangement is one in a series of patriotic songs.

Wikipedia says, ""America the Beautiful" is an American patriotic song. The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates and the music composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward.

Bates originally wrote the words as a poem, Pikes Peak, first published in the Fourth of July edition of the church periodical The Congregationalist in 1895. At that time, the poem was titled America for publication.

Ward had originally written the music, Materna, for the 19th century hymn O Mother dear, Jerusalem in 1882. Ward's music combined with the Bates poem was first published in 1910 and titled America the Beautiful."

Ralph R. Rayner

Re: America the Beautiful Duet
 

Hi Ralph,

Thanks for posting these patriotic pieces, and for the background information along with them. We homeschool our kids, and one of the best ways I've found for getting information to "stick" with them, is to find out (or have them find out) the story that goes along with significant events (eg. interesting details about the constitutional convention) or things they should know about (eg. the story behind songs, as you've sketched somewhat here, or symbols).

These will come in very handy for various kids that I'm working with in learning to play their instruments and having appropriate performance pieces.

ttfn,
Sherry