University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois I-Mark

America the Beautiful

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/98afac00-e466-0135-4ad8-0050569601ca-e
No Copyright - United States (RightsStatements.org)

NoC-US

Descriptive Information

Title
America the Beautiful
Alternative Title
O Peerless Flag!
Composer
Fisher, William Arms  
Lyricist
  • Bates, Katharine Lee  
  • Collier, Edward A.  
Publisher
Oliver Ditson Co.  
Place of Publication
Boston (Mass.)  
Year of Publication
1917  
Date of Copyright
1917-03-09
Physical Description
1 score, mixed voices and piano ([1], 2–7, [1] p.)
Dedication
Dedication
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Popular music  
  • Patriotic music  
  • Flags  
  • Songs and music  
Subject - Geographic
United States  
Subject - Temporal
1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] O God, our guide and helper be, / As of our sires before us. / For by Thy favor are we free, / With Freedom's banner o'er us. / Thy sun beholds the circling world, / Thy winds search land and ocean. / But find no fairer flag unfurl'd, / None loved with more devotion.
  • AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
  • [verse 1] 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!
  • [verse 2] O beautiful for pilgrim feet, / Whose stern, impassioned stress / A thoroughfare of freedom beat / Across the wilderness! / America! America! / God mend thine ev'ry flaw, / Confirm thy soul in self-control, / Thy liberty in law!
  • [verse 3] 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!
  • [verse 4] 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!
  • O PEERLESS FLAG!
  • [refrain 1] O peerless Flag, we lift thee high / And furl thy colors never; / Our ringing cheer and battle-cry / America forever!
  • [verse 2] Thy crimson Stripes proclaim the price / Of sovreignty we cherish, / And tell of their sacrifice / Who vow'd "It shall not perish." / Thy cluster'd Stars, so faint and few / When first we were a nation, / Now fill thy field of azure blue, / A glowing constellation.
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 3] Shine on, ye stars of fadeless light, / The wrong'd and weak befriending; / Shine on for Liberty and Right, / For Truth with Mercy blending. / For Peace with Honor shine ye on, / For all Good Will to others, / Till war and wrath and envy gone, / Men live and love as brothers.
  • [refrain 3]
  • [verse 4] Where people "For the people" reign, / Uplift our Ensign royal; / New glory let Old Glory gain / From sons and daughters loyal. / Then shall the Flag of patriot sires / God-given Rights redeeming, / Safeguard our homes and altar-fires, / While far for Freedom streaming.
  • [refrain 4]
Musical Genre
Anthem
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 only, in simple border and with one small ornament.
  • Top, above border: Complimentary Copy
  • Top: Our Country — Our Flag
  • Bottom, above publisher, boxed: America the Beautiful (open score edition) Octavo No. 13,130 8¢ / do. (with three other settings, close score) Octavo No. 12,450 8¢ / O Peerless Flag! (open score edition) Octave No. 13,146 10¢
Back Cover Description
Text and list of titles n simple border, with ornamental dividers: Attractive School Music
Interior Description
  • p. 2, below title: Patriotic Hymn
  • p. 2, BL: Words used by permission of the Author / Orchestra parts, 50¢
  • p. 3, BR, at end of score: (Feb. 22, 1917)
  • p. 4, below title: Patriotic Song
  • p. 4, BL: Orchestra parts, 50¢
  • p. 7, BR, at end of score: (March 11, 1917)
  • Plate numbers: pp. 2-3, BR: 5-150-72103-2
  • Plate numbers: pp. 4-7, BR: 5-151-72104-4
Performance Medium
Mixed voices and piano.  
Original Location
Box 163
Local Identifier
nda163_098
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 the Beautiful
Alternative TitleO Peerless Flag!
ComposerFisher, William Arms  
Lyricist
  • Bates, Katharine Lee  
  • Collier, Edward A.  
PublisherOliver Ditson Co.  
Place of PublicationBoston (Mass.)  
Year of Publication1917  
Date of Copyright1917-03-09
Physical Description1 score, mixed voices and piano ([1], 2–7, [1] p.)
DedicationDedication
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Popular music  
  • Patriotic music  
  • Flags  
  • Songs and music  
Subject - GeographicUnited States  
Subject - Temporal1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] O God, our guide and helper be, / As of our sires before us. / For by Thy favor are we free, / With Freedom's banner o'er us. / Thy sun beholds the circling world, / Thy winds search land and ocean. / But find no fairer flag unfurl'd, / None loved with more devotion.
  • AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
  • [verse 1] 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!
  • [verse 2] O beautiful for pilgrim feet, / Whose stern, impassioned stress / A thoroughfare of freedom beat / Across the wilderness! / America! America! / God mend thine ev'ry flaw, / Confirm thy soul in self-control, / Thy liberty in law!
  • [verse 3] 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!
  • [verse 4] 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!
  • O PEERLESS FLAG!
  • [refrain 1] O peerless Flag, we lift thee high / And furl thy colors never; / Our ringing cheer and battle-cry / America forever!
  • [verse 2] Thy crimson Stripes proclaim the price / Of sovreignty we cherish, / And tell of their sacrifice / Who vow'd "It shall not perish." / Thy cluster'd Stars, so faint and few / When first we were a nation, / Now fill thy field of azure blue, / A glowing constellation.
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 3] Shine on, ye stars of fadeless light, / The wrong'd and weak befriending; / Shine on for Liberty and Right, / For Truth with Mercy blending. / For Peace with Honor shine ye on, / For all Good Will to others, / Till war and wrath and envy gone, / Men live and love as brothers.
  • [refrain 3]
  • [verse 4] Where people "For the people" reign, / Uplift our Ensign royal; / New glory let Old Glory gain / From sons and daughters loyal. / Then shall the Flag of patriot sires / God-given Rights redeeming, / Safeguard our homes and altar-fires, / While far for Freedom streaming.
  • [refrain 4]
Musical GenreAnthem
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 only, in simple border and with one small ornament.
  • Top, above border: Complimentary Copy
  • Top: Our Country — Our Flag
  • Bottom, above publisher, boxed: America the Beautiful (open score edition) Octavo No. 13,130 8¢ / do. (with three other settings, close score) Octavo No. 12,450 8¢ / O Peerless Flag! (open score edition) Octave No. 13,146 10¢
Back Cover DescriptionText and list of titles n simple border, with ornamental dividers: Attractive School Music
Interior Description
  • p. 2, below title: Patriotic Hymn
  • p. 2, BL: Words used by permission of the Author / Orchestra parts, 50¢
  • p. 3, BR, at end of score: (Feb. 22, 1917)
  • p. 4, below title: Patriotic Song
  • p. 4, BL: Orchestra parts, 50¢
  • p. 7, BR, at end of score: (March 11, 1917)
  • Plate numbers: pp. 2-3, BR: 5-150-72103-2
  • Plate numbers: pp. 4-7, BR: 5-151-72104-4
Performance MediumMixed voices and piano.  
Original LocationBox 163
Local Identifiernda163_098
Collection TitleJames Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music
CollectionWorld War I Sheet Music from the James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music

Download Options

  Zip of Original Files…   Zip of JPEGs PDF
nda163_098-001
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_098-002
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_098-003
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_098-004
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_098-005
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_098-006
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_098-007
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_098-008
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Email Curator About This Item