Pike’s Peak, CO High 44 Low 22
I did not know that the view from atop Pikes Peak is what inspired the song America the Beautiful. I love learning these bits of my country’s history.
Original poem (1893)
- 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!
The first draft of America the Beautiful was hastily jotted down after she returned from a trip to the top of Pikes Peak. Later she remembered:
One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000 foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. 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.
I cannot imagine taking a prairie wagon up that mountain. We had a paved road all the way to the top and that was bad enough. Thank you Ms. Bates.
We take so much for granted when it comes to modern travel. I have never been to the top of Pike's Peak although I was close enough to it. I loved climbing mountains when I was in shape to do that, but I like smaller mountains.
ReplyDeleteWe may have changed some of the words of the song over the years but it is still a beautiful country.
ReplyDeleteI really think that "America the Beautiful" should have been the national anthem. I'd never seen these stanzas before. Thanks, Sandie.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I didn't know that bit of history...thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSome interesting history-thanks:)
ReplyDeleteYou're just a few weeks behind our travels. Did you take the drive to the top of Pike's Peak? A portion of the top was closed when we were there but we drove as far as we could and that was spectacular and it was snowing on top.
ReplyDeleteVery interestig but I sure can remember it enough to see why it inspired her so...
ReplyDeleteHave fun
Donna
I'm learning so much from your travels. Where were you when I needed you on my fifth grade geography test? :cD
ReplyDeleteInteresting story. The words seem a lot different from the ones I've heard folks singing at ballparks.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I want want to take a car that high let alone a wagon train. All I can think of is those poor horses that had to pull those wagons uphill.
ReplyDeleteYears ago when we drove up the peak, it was all gravel and mud above the tree line.... The snow was all red dirt where it was plowed off of the gravel.... Our car was a total mess when we got back to the springs.....
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that... what fun. I've never seen the original lyrics... sure is hard to breathe when you first get up there. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a story! Thanks for sharing.
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