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/989e69b0-e466-0135-4ad8-0050569601ca-0
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NoC-US

Descriptive Information

Title
America, My Country
Composer
Hesselberg, Edouard  
Lyricist
Hesselberg, Lena Shackelford  
Publisher
Edouard Hesselberg  
Place of Publication
Lincoln (Neb.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
1917-10-10
Physical Description
1 score, mixed voices ([1], [2] p.)
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
  • This is the fifth of six editions, issued as a broadside after April 10, 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  
  • Patriotic music  
  • Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924  
  • Songs and music  
  • Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices, 4 parts), Unaccompanied  
  • Hymns  
Subject - Geographic
United States  
Subject - Temporal
1911-1920  
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
NoC-US
Rights Description
The organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information.
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.
  • Below title, above music, in red ink: Endorsed by Lieut. John Philip Sousa, U. S. N. R. F.
Back Cover Description
Undated letter from Edouard Hesselberg, on the letterhead for “The University School of Music” in Lincoln, Nebraska, with the greeting “Salutation” and six paragraphs promoting the song.
Performance Medium
Mixed voices  
Original Location
Box 163
Local Identifier
nda163_047
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  
PublisherEdouard Hesselberg  
Place of PublicationLincoln (Neb.)  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of Copyright1917-10-10
Physical Description1 score, mixed voices ([1], [2] p.)
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
  • This is the fifth of six editions, issued as a broadside after April 10, 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  
  • Patriotic music  
  • Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924  
  • Songs and music  
  • Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices, 4 parts), Unaccompanied  
  • Hymns  
Subject - GeographicUnited States  
Subject - Temporal1911-1920  
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
RightsNoC-US
Rights DescriptionThe organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information.
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.
  • Below title, above music, in red ink: Endorsed by Lieut. John Philip Sousa, U. S. N. R. F.
Back Cover DescriptionUndated letter from Edouard Hesselberg, on the letterhead for “The University School of Music” in Lincoln, Nebraska, with the greeting “Salutation” and six paragraphs promoting the song.
Performance MediumMixed voices  
Original LocationBox 163
Local Identifiernda163_047
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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