America the Beautiful Lyrics

  • 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!

    O beautiful for pilgrim feet
    Whose stern, impassioned stress
    A thoroughfare for freedom beat
    Across the wilderness!
    America! America!
    God mend thine every flaw,
    Confirm thy soul in self-control,
    Thy liberty in law!

  • 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!

    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!

Click below to download the lyrics and original poem!

The Story of the Song

During an 1893 hiking trip in Colorado, Katharine Lee Bates was inspired to write what became one of the most famous songs in US history. Bates was a professor, poet, and writer who traveled up Pike’s Peak by covered wagon and mules with fellow teachers from Colorado College. 

After a long trek, they reached the top and took in the magnificent view. 

At the 14,000-foot mountain summit, Katharine stood in awe and later recalled that moment: “I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse.”

Bates wrote a poem from that experience, which was first published on July 4, 1895, in The Congregationalist. A few months later, Silas G. Pratt set the poem to music, and by 1900, more than 75 musical versions existed. 

However, Samuel Ward’s 1882 “Materna” hymn has stood the test of time as the tune Americans recognize and sing today. The lyrics have changed, though Bates has always been the author: she updated them in 1904 and again in 1911 for the final time.

Collapsible content

Click here to read the original poem.

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife,
When once or twice, for man’s avail,
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain,
The banner of the free!

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
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!

Print a copy of the song lyrics and also Bates’s original poem.

  • Graphic of Watercolor Mountains
  • Image America the Beautiful Lyrics Printable

You may also like our other US History blogs . . .

  • Illustrated Banner for American Flag History Blog Post - 1B
  • US Constitution
  • Declaration of Independence

Join the Discussion

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

  • Tips for Limiting Screen Time

    Tips for Limiting Screen Time

    Technology brings a wealth of information to our fingertips, but overuse of screen time has become an issue for many families. Jenny Phillips shares her family’s journey to limiting screen...

    Tips for Limiting Screen Time

    Technology brings a wealth of information to our fingertips, but overuse of screen time has become an issue for many families. Jenny Phillips shares her family’s journey to limiting screen...

    Read more
  • Is Sentence Diagramming Necessary for Learning Grammar?

    Is Sentence Diagramming Necessary for Learning ...

    Sentence diagramming can be a grammar exercise students either love or run from. Sit down with Jenny Phillips in this video and blog post as she discusses how and why...

    Is Sentence Diagramming Necessary for Learning ...

    Sentence diagramming can be a grammar exercise students either love or run from. Sit down with Jenny Phillips in this video and blog post as she discusses how and why...

    Read more
  • What Is a Solar Eclipse?

    What Is a Solar Eclipse?

    Witnessing a total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most. Learn all about total solar eclipses and how to safely view one. Then download directions for a fun solar...

    What Is a Solar Eclipse?

    Witnessing a total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most. Learn all about total solar eclipses and how to safely view one. Then download directions for a fun solar...

    Read more
  • Is The Good and the Beautiful Math Rigorous?

    Is The Good and the Beautiful Math Rigorous?

    What is rigor in mathematics, and is Simply Good and Beautiful Math rigorous enough? A rigorous homeschool math course teaches more than just memorization of facts and steps. Keep reading...

    Is The Good and the Beautiful Math Rigorous?

    What is rigor in mathematics, and is Simply Good and Beautiful Math rigorous enough? A rigorous homeschool math course teaches more than just memorization of facts and steps. Keep reading...

    Read more
  • Count to 15

    Count to 15

    Teach children how to count to 15 through music and illustration with our delightful video on The Good and the Beautiful Kids Channel on YouTube. Then keep reading for more...

    Count to 15

    Teach children how to count to 15 through music and illustration with our delightful video on The Good and the Beautiful Kids Channel on YouTube. Then keep reading for more...

    Read more
  • Count By 15

    Count By 15

    Count By 15

    Read more
  • Count by 10's

    Count by 10's

    Counting by 10's is an easy pattern to introduce to children once they have mastered counting by 1's. Print the free download. Then sing along with the children in this...

    Count by 10's

    Counting by 10's is an easy pattern to introduce to children once they have mastered counting by 1's. Print the free download. Then sing along with the children in this...

    Read more
  • The Good and the Beautiful Science: What It's All About

    The Good and the Beautiful Science: What It's A...

    Science is an important part of any homeschool education, but our team believes homeschool science curriculum should be fun and inspiring too! Our best-selling science units make science exciting to...

    The Good and the Beautiful Science: What It's A...

    Science is an important part of any homeschool education, but our team believes homeschool science curriculum should be fun and inspiring too! Our best-selling science units make science exciting to...

    Read more
  • The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting: What It's All About

    The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting: What It...

    The Good and the Beautiful's award-winning handwriting curriculum was named the most popular among homeschool families in 2022!  When you open one of our handwriting books, you immediately notice The...

    The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting: What It...

    The Good and the Beautiful's award-winning handwriting curriculum was named the most popular among homeschool families in 2022!  When you open one of our handwriting books, you immediately notice The...

    Read more
  • Homeschooling with The Good and the Beautiful: What It's All About

    Homeschooling with The Good and the Beautiful: ...

    Once there was a homeschool mom who loved books and nature and God. She created her dream language arts curriculum for her own kids. And then she shared it for...

    Homeschooling with The Good and the Beautiful: ...

    Once there was a homeschool mom who loved books and nature and God. She created her dream language arts curriculum for her own kids. And then she shared it for...

    Read more
  • Second Grade Sight Words

    Second Grade Sight Words

    Master second grade sight words! Download a free list of sight words used in The Good and the Beautiful Level 2 Language Arts and some fun sight word games for...

    Second Grade Sight Words

    Master second grade sight words! Download a free list of sight words used in The Good and the Beautiful Level 2 Language Arts and some fun sight word games for...

    Read more
  • Simply Good and Beautiful Math: What It's All About 

    Simply Good and Beautiful Math: What It's All A...

    The Simply Good and the Beautiful Math team knows homeschool parents need enjoyable open-and-go lessons that are just the right length, while also building a solid foundation of strong number...

    Simply Good and Beautiful Math: What It's All A...

    The Simply Good and the Beautiful Math team knows homeschool parents need enjoyable open-and-go lessons that are just the right length, while also building a solid foundation of strong number...

    Read more
  • First Grade Sight Words

    First Grade Sight Words

    Learning phonics and decoding is vital for first-grade reader. First graders benefit from learning a short list of words by sight as well. The most useful first-grade sight words are...

    First Grade Sight Words

    Learning phonics and decoding is vital for first-grade reader. First graders benefit from learning a short list of words by sight as well. The most useful first-grade sight words are...

    Read more
  • 4th of July Coloring Pages

    4th of July Coloring Pages

    Free Printable 4th of July Coloring Pages!  Enjoy these beautiful illustrations made into patriotic 4th of July coloring pages, available only from The Good and the Beautiful. Keep reading to...

    4th of July Coloring Pages

    Free Printable 4th of July Coloring Pages!  Enjoy these beautiful illustrations made into patriotic 4th of July coloring pages, available only from The Good and the Beautiful. Keep reading to...

    Read more
  • Skip Counting: Multiples of 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9

    Skip Counting: Multiples of 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9

    Skip counting is an important foundation for understanding and learning multiplication! Children easily learn the multiples of 2, 5, and 10 first, but the multiples of 3, 4, 6, 7,...

    Skip Counting: Multiples of 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9

    Skip counting is an important foundation for understanding and learning multiplication! Children easily learn the multiples of 2, 5, and 10 first, but the multiples of 3, 4, 6, 7,...

    Read more
  • 30 Outdoor Activities for Kids

    30 Outdoor Activities for Kids

    Looking for some outdoor activities for kids? Well, it’s time to get outside! The positive impact of nature and outdoor learning has been proven over and over again. Spending time...

    30 Outdoor Activities for Kids

    Looking for some outdoor activities for kids? Well, it’s time to get outside! The positive impact of nature and outdoor learning has been proven over and over again. Spending time...

    Read more
  • Multiplication Chart Printable

    Multiplication Chart Printable

    Multiplication! For some children, memorizing facts and recognizing number patterns is a fun puzzle and enjoyable mental challenge. For others, it’s a complicated chore. We are here to help with...

    Multiplication Chart Printable

    Multiplication! For some children, memorizing facts and recognizing number patterns is a fun puzzle and enjoyable mental challenge. For others, it’s a complicated chore. We are here to help with...

    Read more
  • Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

    Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

    Get ready for kindergarten! In this post, learn tips on how to prep your child for kindergarten, and be sure to download our free, printable Kindergarten Readiness Checklist! Preparing for Kindergarten...

    Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

    Get ready for kindergarten! In this post, learn tips on how to prep your child for kindergarten, and be sure to download our free, printable Kindergarten Readiness Checklist! Preparing for Kindergarten...

    Read more
  • What Do Grasshoppers Eat?

    What Do Grasshoppers Eat?

    Walking through a backyard in the spring and summer, you’re likely to spy a bright green grasshopper springing across your path. These medium-to-large insects have two pairs of wings and...

    What Do Grasshoppers Eat?

    Walking through a backyard in the spring and summer, you’re likely to spy a bright green grasshopper springing across your path. These medium-to-large insects have two pairs of wings and...

    Read more