Sweet Freedom’s Song

I’m very proud to be an American, but sometimes I wonder “what if…” We didn’t get to choose the country where we’d be born, but we do get to choose what kind of countrymen we’ll be. I consider myself blessed to have been born in America, and I treasure the hard-won freedoms I enjoy. I don’t ever want to take them for granted. Perhaps you feel the same.  Or perhaps you’re reading this blog and you were born elsewhere. I hope you love your country as I love mine. I hope you try to make your world — our world — a better place for everyone.

But just as no person or family is perfect, no country is perfect either.  Not yours.  Not mine.  Before I started this blog, I could only call a handful of people in other countries by their first name; with the exception of Brazil, of course. (HERE‘s why if you don’t already know.)  But after almost a year, one of the things I love about Blogland is that I’ve “met” so many of you from countries other than my own … and I’ve found we have a lot in common! We care about other people. About our families. Our homes. And many of us love to play in the dishes! We’re especially respectful and encouraging of each other. For that reason, I know you’ll understand why today I’ve chosen to do a very American tablescape with its red, white, and blue color scheme.  I’ve also chosen a traditional American patriotic song written in 1831 by Samuel Francis Smith. Interestingly, its melody has both English and German roots …

America (My Country, ‘Tis of Thee)

My country, ’tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;

Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;

I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees.
Sweet freedom’s song;

Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers’ God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.

Long may our land be bright,
With freedom’s holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.

Happy 4th of July, fellow Americans!

Enjoy your day of celebrating … and be safe!

I’m linking to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.

Related posts:

Dropping the Pin … You Don’t Have to Like War to Be Grateful! Festival of Tables Preview: SWAN SONG HAUNTED … by Two Tattered Flags