We are a mosaic of people, places and stories. Liberty’s flame welcomes all to these shores where E Pluribus Unam (many out of one) is our purpose. Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness (the welfare of the people ) our promise.
The American mosaic began with people who came from the East over a landbridge during an Ice Age. It was a time when nature was free. the rule one of reciprocity among species living in a landscape of soaring mountains, crystal rivers, lakes and oceans full of life. and forests trembling with the movements of animals, birds, insects and a few people. Though old by our planet’s account, it was brand new to the first people who wondered in its force of life surging at its own accord. They are still among us, and their memories are longlasting. If we listen, we can here the wisdom they developed living among their kin.
Oh! How I wish to be born again when America was new to us human beings. Reverence for life, the will to live so strong in all. Rivers free to run their courses, lakes shimmering like mirrors, towering clouds and lightening striking all across the open plain, the bone deep terror of its awesome vigor.
Ah, so, I hear the naysayers refuting this idyllic description, but what if it was just that way? What if the air was so clear you could see for miles, what if every body of water was drinkable? What would it feel like in virgin woods with the whole pageant of living things vigorous and free? What sounds, fragrances and piercing colors would we see agasp in the virgin wood? I wonder…
Much much later the new European immigrants, hungry for land and the very freedom they denied its Native People, a young teacher penned this poem which became the source for America the Beautiful, beloved song of our nation.
Oh 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
‘Til all success be nobleness
And every gain divined
And you know when I was in school
We used to sing it something like this, listen here
Oh beautiful, for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
But now wait a minute, I’m talking about
America, sweet America
You know, God done shed his grace on thee
He crowned thy good, yes he did, in brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
You know, I wish I had somebody to help me sing this
(America, America, God shed his grace on thee)
America, I love you America, you see
My God he done shed his grace on thee
And you oughta love him for it
‘Cause he, he, he, he crowned thy good
He told me he would, with brotherhood
(From sea to shining Sea)
Oh Lord, oh Lord, I thank you Lord
(Shining sea)
Alexander Courage and Samuel Ward wrote what came to be the song best loved among hundreds written – each inspired by the poem by Katherine Lee Bates. She penned the poem after a trip during which she observed the stunning beauty of the West. She was a professor at Wellesley College on her way to teach in Colorado Springs.
I hope with all the strength in me that this anthem can spur a rebirth of the original land and its people, and that us late comers, immigrants all, will make room for our multicultural society, our E Pluribus Unam. You see, we became the great idea stimulated by this Land, this Place. May we restore Her, restore Ourselves to higher purpose, to make that American Quilt we dreamed of when we sought to govern ourselves anew. Oh America! Oh, Liberty, may we breathe that fulsome air again and may we obtain that clarity of mind to see who we are today and who we must become again so that freedom reigns among us all.
Susan Feathers 