VOICE ONE:
July Fourth is America’s most important national holiday:Independence Day. Americans will celebrate the anniversary of theirdeclaration of independence from Britain in seventeen-seventy-six.I’m Mary Tillotson.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Steve Ember. In honor of this holiday, we present songsthat celebrate America on the VOA Special English program, THIS ISAMERICA.
((MUSIC: STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER))
VOICE ONE:
Americans celebrate the Fourth of July with family gatherings,parades, speeches and fireworks. They also celebrate with patrioticmusic.The official song of the United States is “The Star-SpangledBanner.” Francis Scott Key wrote the words in eighteen-fourteen.
At that time, America and Britain were at war. Francis Scott Keywatched as British forces attacked Fort McHenry in Baltimore,Maryland. Through the smoke and fire, he could see a huge Americanflag flying over the army base.
VOICE TWO:
The next morning, after the battle, he looked to see which flagflew over Fort McHenry. It would tell which side had won. Key sawthat the American flag still flew. He wrote a poem re-creating theevent. Soon after, music was added to his words. The United StatesCongress made “The Star-Spangled Banner” the national song innineteen-thirty-one.
Americans sing it at the beginning of many public meetings andsports events. Here is America’s national song, performed by FaithHill.
((STAR-SPANGLED BANNER))
VOICE ONE:
Some people say “The Star-Spangled Banner” is difficult to sing.Others do not like the words. Some people have suggested that theUnited States change its national song. They say many other songsthat celebrate America would be better.
VOICE TWO:
One of these is called “America.” It is also known as “My Country’Tis of Thee.” Samuel Smith wrote it in Eighteen-Thirty-Two. Themusic is the same as the British national song, “God Save theQueen.”
The Southwestern Christian College Chorus sings “America.”
((AMERICA))
VOICE ONE:
Some people think “America the Beautiful” is one of the bestsongs that celebrates America. Katherine Lee Bates wrote the wordsin eighteen-ninety-three. Samuel Ward wrote the music. Many singersand groups have recorded “America the Beautiful.”
Ray Charles sings his version.
((AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL))
VOICE TWO:
Many people think “God Bless America” is the best song thatcelebrates America. Irving Berlin wrote it in nineteen-seventeen. Itbecame popular twenty years later when Kate Smith sang it on anational radio broadcast. Listen now to the young voices of theAmerican Boychoir as they perform “God Bless America.”
((GOD BLESS AMERICA))
VOICE ONE:
Other people would like America’s national song to be “This Landis Your Land.” Woody Guthrie wrote the words in nineteen-forty. Itbecame one of the most popular folk songs in America.
Pete Seeger and the Weavers sing”This Land is Your Land.”
((THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND))
VOICE TWO:
Years ago, Lee Greenwood recorded a song called “God Bless theU.S.A.” This song has gained new meaning and popularity since theterrorist attacks on the United States, September eleventh,two-thousand-one.
Listen as Lee Greenwood sings “GodBless the U.S.A.”
((GOD BLESS THE U.S.A))
VOICE ONE:
This program was written by Jerilyn Watson. It was produced byCaty Weaver. Our studio engineer was Keith Holmes. I’m MaryTillotson.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Steve Ember. Join us again next week for another reportabout life in the United States on the VOA Special English programTHIS IS AMERICA.
((STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER))