Hymn · Praise

America the Beautiful

Words by Katharine Lee Bates, 18954 verses

O beautiful for spacious skies,For amber waves of grain,For purple mountain majestiesAbove the fruited plain!America! America!God shed His grace on thee,And crown thy good with brotherhoodFrom sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feetWhose stern impassion'd stressA thoroughfare for freedom beatAcross the wilderness.America! America!God mend thine ev'ry flaw,Confirm thy soul in self-control,Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov'dIn liberating strife,Who more than self their country loved,And mercy more than life.America! America!May God thy gold refineTill all success be nobleness,And ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dreamThat sees beyond the yearsThine alabaster cities gleamUndimmed by human tears.America! America!God shed His grace on thee,And crown thy good with brotherhoodFrom sea to shining sea.

Words: Katharine Lee Bates (1895). Public domain.