University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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America, My Country

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/966cb940-e466-0135-4ad8-0050569601ca-e

The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to the following terms and conditions: https://www.newberry.org/rights-and-reproductions

Descriptive Information

Title
America, My Country  
Composer
Hesselberg, Edouard  
Lyricist
Hesselberg, Lena Shackelford  
Publisher
Lincoln, NE : Edouard Hesselberg  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
1917-10-10
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-4, [2] p.)
Type
Musical notation  
Comment
Edouard Hesselberg invested considerable time and effort in performing and promoting this “anthem,” which was probably written shortly after the United States entered the war. He had some success, judging from performances, from the series of editions, and from the endorsement by John Philip Sousa. However, a song by E. F. Maetzold with the same title had been copyrighted three months earlier and promoted more vigorously and effectively, and eventually it eclipsed its competition.
Historical Note
  • On the back cover, the second and third verses of the lyrics are exchanged.   
  • This is the fourth of six editions, probably issued in April 1918. The first was from October 1917, the last from September 1918.   
  • Hesselberg promoted the song through a network of associates and through newspaper articles. No piano rolls or recordings have been found.  
Musical Note
A well-made hymn with a strong bass line and appropriate, limited use of melodic sequence.
Dedication
Dedication
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music.  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Patriotic music -- United States.  
  • Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924 -- Songs and music.  
  • Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices, 4 parts), Unaccompanied.  
  • Hymns.  
Subject - Geographic
United States  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] America my country, / with all thy vales and hills, / With all thy mighty forces, / thy falls, thy lakes, thy rills, / Thou holdest wealth of nature / on thee God's sun has shone, / America, my country! / my own, my home.
  • [verse 2] America my country / in thee my future lies, / For all thy beauties draw me, / to thee I lift mine eyes, / New energies possess me, / I claim thee for my own, / America, my country! / my own, my home.
  • [verse 3] America my country, / in thee I put my all, / I cling to thy great glory, / in faith thou wilt not fall, / Thy birds, thy trees, thy mountains, / cry freedom from their dome / America, my country! / my own, my home.
  • [verse 4] America my country / no matter what the test, / Thou wilt rise in greatness / and give the world thy best, / Thy aims are high and noble, / thy people true, I own, / America, my country! / my own, my home.
Musical Genre
Hymn
Repository
Newberry Library
Rights
The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to the following terms and conditions: https://www.newberry.org/rights-and-reproductions
Cover Description
  • Text with insignia-like stock image, top, made of eagle perched on U. S. shield, with laurel wreath. Black and red on white; unsigned.  
  • TR, in red ink : Endorsed by Lieut. John Philip Sousa, U. S. N. R. F.   
  • Below title: National Hymn / for Unison Chorus with Piano Accompaniment or Mixed Chorus.   
  • BC: 5  
Back Cover Description
The lyrics printed in poetic form.  
Interior Description
p. [5]: Ballads / (By the same composer) [and list of 15 titles]  
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.  
Original Location
Box 163
Local Identifier
nda163_046  
Collection Title
James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music
Collection
World War I Sheet Music from the James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music
TitleAmerica, My Country  
ComposerHesselberg, Edouard  
LyricistHesselberg, Lena Shackelford  
PublisherLincoln, NE : Edouard Hesselberg  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of Copyright1917-10-10
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-4, [2] p.)
TypeMusical notation  
CommentEdouard Hesselberg invested considerable time and effort in performing and promoting this “anthem,” which was probably written shortly after the United States entered the war. He had some success, judging from performances, from the series of editions, and from the endorsement by John Philip Sousa. However, a song by E. F. Maetzold with the same title had been copyrighted three months earlier and promoted more vigorously and effectively, and eventually it eclipsed its competition.
Historical Note
  • On the back cover, the second and third verses of the lyrics are exchanged.   
  • This is the fourth of six editions, probably issued in April 1918. The first was from October 1917, the last from September 1918.   
  • Hesselberg promoted the song through a network of associates and through newspaper articles. No piano rolls or recordings have been found.  
Musical NoteA well-made hymn with a strong bass line and appropriate, limited use of melodic sequence.
DedicationDedication
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music.  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Patriotic music -- United States.  
  • Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924 -- Songs and music.  
  • Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices, 4 parts), Unaccompanied.  
  • Hymns.  
Subject - GeographicUnited States  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] America my country, / with all thy vales and hills, / With all thy mighty forces, / thy falls, thy lakes, thy rills, / Thou holdest wealth of nature / on thee God's sun has shone, / America, my country! / my own, my home.
  • [verse 2] America my country / in thee my future lies, / For all thy beauties draw me, / to thee I lift mine eyes, / New energies possess me, / I claim thee for my own, / America, my country! / my own, my home.
  • [verse 3] America my country, / in thee I put my all, / I cling to thy great glory, / in faith thou wilt not fall, / Thy birds, thy trees, thy mountains, / cry freedom from their dome / America, my country! / my own, my home.
  • [verse 4] America my country / no matter what the test, / Thou wilt rise in greatness / and give the world thy best, / Thy aims are high and noble, / thy people true, I own, / America, my country! / my own, my home.
Musical GenreHymn
RepositoryNewberry Library
RightsThe Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to the following terms and conditions: https://www.newberry.org/rights-and-reproductions
Cover Description
  • Text with insignia-like stock image, top, made of eagle perched on U. S. shield, with laurel wreath. Black and red on white; unsigned.  
  • TR, in red ink : Endorsed by Lieut. John Philip Sousa, U. S. N. R. F.   
  • Below title: National Hymn / for Unison Chorus with Piano Accompaniment or Mixed Chorus.   
  • BC: 5  
Back Cover DescriptionThe lyrics printed in poetic form.  
Interior Descriptionp. [5]: Ballads / (By the same composer) [and list of 15 titles]  
Performance MediumVoice and piano.  
Original LocationBox 163
Local Identifiernda163_046  
Collection TitleJames Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music
CollectionWorld War I Sheet Music from the James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music

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