America's Songs

One of the most recognizable patriotic songs in the United States today, "America the Beautiful" started out as a poem inspired by the captivating scenery of the West. Written in 1893 by college professor Katharine Lee Bates, the lyrics evoke images of wheat fields, towering mountains, and skies spanning the vast country. Its melody, however, was added decades after the poem's first publication. Today, the song is used as an unofficial national anthem celebrating America's beauty and its future prospects of opportunity. This book explores the song's history, its significance, and its journey to patriotic celebration in simple and concise language. The narrative offers a variety of features including easy-to-read sheet music, sidebars, fun facts, timelines, and vivid photographs. It tells the story, engages readers, and celebrates the song's place in the patriotic canon today.

After sitting in a drawer unused and unnamed for twenty years, Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" became the unofficial national anthem of the United States. From World War II battlefronts to professional baseball stadiums, and even the steps of the United States Capitol after the 9/11 attacks, "God Bless America" invokes a feeling of peace and unity in the hearts of many Americans. This captivating book takes its readers on a journey through time on the back of an immigrant's song that has comforted a nation during some of its most challenging times. Complete with easy-to-read sheet music kids can use to play the song, modern uses of the song, and information about the song's journey to fame, this book is sure to engage young readers.

There are key songs that hold significance long after the era in which they were written passes. "Battle Hymn of the Republic" is one such piece. Its history began in the Civil War era. Its words were written when the lyricist, Julia Ward Howe, visited a Union army camp in 1861. While initially the song was intended to rally abolitionists, soldiers, and suffragettes, its meanings are many. This engaging book examines how Howe's words continue to unfold today, while also tracing the unique history of the song's melody. Using easy-to-read sheet music, sidebars, fun facts, timelines, and historical and new photographs, this book tells the tale of how this song materialized and how it earned its place as one of the most patriotic songs in the United States.

"Oh say can you see?" are some of the most recognizable words of the United States' national anthem. Whenever they are heard, people can't help but chime in or stand at attention with hands over hearts. This song originally commemorated a battle fought in 1814 during the War of 1812, but over the centuries it has evolved into a song that describes a nation. Complete with easy-to-read sheet music kids can play from, this book details the history of the "Star-Spangled Banner," its creators, and its journey to becoming the essential patriotic tune it is today.

Before the "Star Spangled Banner" became America's national anthem in 1931, another song filled that bill: "My Country 'Tis of Thee." This patriotic hymn, which celebrated America's history and natural beauty, was written by Baptist minister Samuel Francis Smith in 1831. Since then, it has been beloved by millions of Americans. It even played an important role in the civil rights movement. This book introduces today's schoolchildren to this important historical song using easy-to-read sheet music, vivid photographs, primary sources, and key facts, and glossaries.

Today it's a fun children's song, but over two hundred years ago, "Yankee Doodle" was a political song used to mock American colonists. During the American Revolution, it became one of America's morale-boosting war songs. This book explores the history of "Yankee Doodle," from first uses to modern applications, using fun facts, easy-to-read sheet music, photographs, and sidebars to tell this interesting story.