ExpressYourself4Him

Ray Charles performs “America the Beautiful”

Inspiration Behind America the Beautiful:

Professor Katharine Lee Bates traveled to Colorado Springs to teach a summer course. This time away from Wellesley College enabled Bates to explore Pike’s Peak. Blown away by the amazing scenery, the words of America the Beautiful were conceived However, this initial piece was in the form of a poem entitled Pikes Peak, first published on July 4, 1895. This poem was later set to music by Samuel A. Ward. After several revisions by Gates, the final version of America the Beautiful was completed in 1913.

Biblical Application:

In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.⁵ The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land, Psalm 95:4-5.

Exegesis of America the Beautiful: (original version)

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!

Bates is moved by her view from the Colorado Rockies.  Her eyes focus on the different transitions of the landscape.  Perhaps the amber waves of grain and fruited plains refer to her gradual ascension up Pile's Peak.  These amazing views fill Bates with a deep appreciation for America.  The final 3 lines of this opening stanza point to a different time in America where a biblical worldview was held by a majority of Americans.

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

Bates transitions to history, reflecting upon the colonization of America.  Europeans made this trek west in a search for freedom.  Bates points to a time in America where the local church was the center of the community.  Despite human imperfections, the daily goal was to pursue self-control while daily examining the Bible as a guide for life.

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!

Bates points to the mindset shared by many Americans at the turn of the 20th century.  The good of this country was placed as a higher priority than selfish ambition.  The end of this stanza appears to address the fact that human beings are a work in progress, refined by the trials we all face in life.

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!

Our founding fathers had a vision for America.  This dream was for future generations.  A place where all the citizens were proud to call home.  The expression God, family and country can be extracted from the end of the final stanza.  By God's grace and a commitment to the golden rule, treat others as you want to be treated.  This is the prayer from the east to the west coast.

Final Thoughts:

Modern college professors would steer clear from discussing faith in their classroom.  However, when someone is moved by God or influenced by the Holy Spirit, great things can be accomplished.  Subsequently, a poem reflecting upon a beautiful view has turned into a patriotic song that Americans have sung for more than a century.  This is the impact and powerful message of America the Beautiful.

by Jay Mankus

Kate Smith from the Flyers vs Bruins Stanley Cup Playoffs May 19th 1974

Inspiration Behind God Bless America:

Irving Berlin wrote the original version of God Bless America while serving in the United States Army. The initial title was named after the base where Irving was training, Yip Yip Yaphank. After wanting to craft a fun song, Irving realized that this was too solemn for this initial name. The lyrics were revised in 1938 during the rise of Nazi Germany. Irving was searching for peace as well as God’s divine protection with a second World War looming. This new version debuted on the Kate Smith Hour, part of Armistice Day programming. In the years that followed, Kate Smith was invited to sing God Bless America before special sporting events like the Stanley Cup Finals.

Biblical Application:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, Ephesians 1:3-4.

Exegesis of God Bless America:

God bless America, land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above;
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America, my home, sweet home.
God bless America, my home, sweet home.

A request to God inspired by a love for his country.  A call to stand by this nation.  The belief that God is shining down on this country, from coast to coast.  Irving reveals his deep appreciation for America, seeking God's blessing.

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:

Despite what pending storms may be seen on the horizon, Irving asks the allegiance of his fellow citizens.  Focusing on the positive as well as being grateful.  Singing this song as a unified prayer.

God bless America, my home, sweet home.
God bless America, my home, sweet home.

The chorus asks God to watch over their homes with favor and protection from above.

Final Thoughts:

My father’s sales promotion in Delaware included season tickets to the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL. When games were on the weekends. my dad was able to take 3 members of the family. Subsequently, I was able to attend a few games every year for a decade. When the Flyers invited Kate Smith to sing God Bless America, their winning percentage was over 900. I was fortunate to hear Kate Smith sing in person at the Spectrum. When the fans joined Kate, the building would shake. These are the memories of hearing God Bless America for the first time.

by Jay Mankus

Independence Day

Inspiration Behind Independence Day:

The original music video begins at a parade with a famous quote from JFK and MLK. White Heart combines patriotism with spiritual themes. Books like Steeling the Mind of America reveal the true origins of the 4th of July as a spiritual holiday celebrating prayer and thanksgiving. However, the lyrics point to spiritual independence referring to the specific day someone decides to follow Jesus. The Magna Carta opened the door for Pilgrams and Puritans to make their way to America so that political and spiritual freedom could be realized in this new land.

Biblical Application:

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[c] you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law, Galatians 5:16-18.

Exegesis of Independence Day:

Listen to our declaration
Listen to our testament
We’ve been given a revelation
We are sure of where we stand
So let the banner be unfurled
We’ve found the light of hope in a dying world

A request to be heard. A reference to the Bible, sharing a personal testimony of their discovery to finding purpose and meaning in life. This is the light of hope, Jesus.

Hear the myth of modern man
You’re the god of your own land
They call you weak, a spineless fool
Say you’ve given up your right to rule
But I’ve been to the land of me
And I know I was never free
Freedom came when I gave it all away

Discussing secular thoughts and worldviews. How the educated view Christianity today. This search for freedom uncovered an unusual reality, finding life by giving your life away, Matthew 16:24-27.

That’s why I call it Independence Day
I call it Independence Day
Let the rockets blaze across the sky
Raise the flag of faith up high
Let the doubters call it what they may
It’s Independence Day

A blend of spiritual independence with America tradition on July 4th. From a historical point of view. colleges were established by Christians in the United States to train young men and women how to properly study the Bible. Coming to faith in Christ is your spiritual Independence Day.

The world can crown another hundred kings
But I believe in a better dream
They may call it slavery
But the biggest chain I knew was me

Earthly leaders will come and go with their dreams and visions for the future. Issues like slavery will arise, but White Heart points to a spiritual slavery that is even worse, Romans 7:14-18.

So let the idols tumble down
The walls of lies crumble to the ground
I know where salvation can be found
Let the idols tumble down

Band members searched for truth. Despite all the idols and lies that sounded really good, Whote Heart found salvation in Jesus, John 14:6.

That’s why I call it Independence Day
I call it Independence Day
Let the rockets blaze across the sky
Raise the flag of faith up high
Let the doubters call it what they may
It’s Independence Day

Repeating the chorus for the second time. July 4th means different things to people. However, for Christians, it’s a day to celebrate their independence from sin and death.

So join in the celebration
It’s the birth of a holy nation
As people of light, we are proud to say

White Heart is going back to signing of the Declaration of Independence, the formation of a new nation, united together.

That we call it Independence Day
We call it Independence Day
Let the doubters call it what they may
‘Cause we call it Independence Day

While fireworks are nice, this is the real meaning of Independence Day.

Final Thoughts:

I spent 3 summers of college living in Ohio. During these memorable months, I probably went to 50 celebrations that included fireworks with one being an international firework competition. Subsequently, in the years that have followed, watching fireworks doesn’t excite me like it used to. Perhaps, this is why I am drawn to White Heart’s Independence Day song. This Christian perspective fulfills my own spiritual thirst and quench for more.

by Jay Mankus

Lee Greenwood – God Bless The U.S.A.

Inspiration Behind God Bless the U.S.A.:

The catalyst for this song was the shooting down of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 in 1983. Lee Greenwood wanted to craft a song that would unite America as well as honor those individuals who laid down their life for freedom and independence. The lyrics to God Bless the U.S.A. come from personal experiences, national events as well as a personal desire to instill national pride within the citizens of the United States.

Biblical Application:

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. ² All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: ³ You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country, Deuteronomy 28:1-3.

Exegesis of God Bless the U.S.A.:

If tomorrow all the things were gone
I’d worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife
I’d thank my lucky stars
To be livin’ here today
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can’t take that away

Lee starts with a what if question. If failure results in losing everything that you have, try again. This worst-case scenario leads to appreciation. This new perspective conceives a spirit of thankfulness, especially for the American flag and the freedom that it represents.

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

These reflection breeds pride for America. Lee decides to pay homage and respect to those who have gone before him, laying down their lives to make America what it is today. This new outlook inspires Lee to rise in appreciation. Gladly acknowledging current members of the military. This has led Lee to love this country, asking for God’s blessing.

From the lakes of Minnesota
To the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas
From sea to shining sea
From Detroit down to Houston
And New York to L.A
Well, there’s pride in every American heart
And it’s time we stand and say

Lee now reflects upon states across this country. Recognizing the diverse lands followed by major cities. Instead of focusing on our differences, Lee calls Americans to come together, unified and standing together.

That 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 (love this land)
God bless the USA

The chorus is repeated for the first time. Combining American pride with freedom unlike any country. This freedom was secured by the men and women who served their country in the military. Their sacrifices instilled within Lee a love for America, asking God’s blessings.

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 (love this land)
God bless the USA

This final chorus contains a few different words, driving home points of America pride, sacrificial soldiers and sense of appreciation and love for America.

Final Thoughts:

The more I study history, the traces of God’s presence in America’s founding is clear. From the Pilgrams to the Puritans, Christians came to America to celebrate religious freedom. Different denominations settled along the East Coast. When the great awakening reached America in the early 1800’s, faith was renewed throughout the United States. Just as history follows a series of cycles, faith also comes and goes. Songs like God Bless the USA remind Christians that it is okay and beneficial to ask for and seek God’s blessings on America.

by Jay Mankus