Text: Katherine Lee Bates
Language: English
Ensemble: 3 versions, see below
Accompaniment: organ, optional full orchestra
Genre: Patriotic
Duration: 5.0 minutes
Page Count: 14
Catalog Number:
NWC-105 (SATB, piano)
NWC-106 (SATB, organ or orchestra)
NWC-107 (TTBB, piano)
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Note: All three scores are the same arrangement, adapted for different instruments or voicings.
The choral parts of the two SATB arrangements are identical. The accompaniments are adapted differently, for organ or piano. The score with organ accompaniment should be used when performed with orchestra.
- SATB, medium voice solo, piano accompaniment (NWC-105)
See & hear sample score - SATB, medium voice solo, organ accompaniment, optional full orchestra (NWC-106)
See & hear sample score
The TTBB arrangement uses the same piano accompaniment as #105 above, with the choral parts adapted for men's voices.
- TTBB, medium voice solo, piano (NWC-107)
See & hear sample score
This stirring arrangement varies the harmony and accompaniment of each verse; interludes modulate between each verse; a soft a cappella middle section then gradually builds toward a thrilling conclusion. It has been performed for many special national occasions, including the Cleveland Orchestra’s 150th anniversary, an event at the White House for President Jimmy Carter, and the post-September 11th interfaith Prayer for America service at Yankee Stadium, broadcast live on CNN.
Text:
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 pilgrim feet whose stern impassioned stress
a thoroughfare of freedom beat across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine every flaw,
confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!
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 shed his grace on thee
and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!