America the Beautiful

"America the beautiful" by Katherine Bates composed on a trip to Colorado is so beautiful I thought I'd write something about it. It's been recorded by so many famous entertainers and bands--Elvis Presley to Aretha Franklin, military bands to small town band concerts. Everything I've read would indicate it is public domain--but alas, even that is being argued and worked out in the courts. But I was certainly shocked to read in my morning devotions (Magnificat, July 2024) that the copyright is held by the Benedictine Nuns of the Abbey of St. Cecilia, Ryde, Isle of Wright, UK. That's either a big typo or perhaps applies to a particular recorded rendition. I'll check with the publisher.

Katharine Lee Bates | Biography, America The Beautiful, Poems, Books, & Facts | Britannica

"Amber Waves" is the title of a USDA magazine. The title is probably taken from that familiar tune. I used to collect first/premiere issues of magazines and have the first issue (in print). It still exists on line. https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves.aspx

Make America Great Again song

How would a you analyze "Make American Great Again" song unveiled on July 4?

 

Vanilla . . . simplicity and clarity. . . not striding boldly to a new future. . . too familiar. . . egregiously unsurprising. Missed opportunity. . .

 

 http://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/music-theory/analysis-trump-make-america-great-again-song/

Can we say. . . condescending?

I won’t be “home” for July 4 festivities

My friend Lynne is our class of 57 poet.  So she sent me this little ditty, because I’ll miss the class breakfast this year.

I’ll give your regards to Main St.,  and remember you on Kable Square.

And tell all gang at Wesley and Main,  that you will soon be there-

Whisper of how you’re yearning,  to mingle with the old-time throng-

I’ll give your regards to old Mt. Morris and say you'll be there ere long..

(She writes, “Forgive me Geo. M. Cohan-but I couldn't resist)

2007, Ladies breakfast at White Pines

Adele—Make you feel my love

This young lady from Britain, Adele Adkins, now known by her first name,  has had an amazing career in just a few short years.  I think this one is lovely – nice to know beautiful love songs are still enjoyed. Many artists have covered this since 1997.    She has won a Best Songwriter Award, but this one was written by Bob Dylan.  She says criticism of her first album, 19, was that her songs weren’t as good as her voice.  She took it to heart, and now with her album, 21, she’s won songwriting awards.

When the rain is blowing in your face,
and the whole world is on your case,
I could offer you a warm embrace
to make you feel my love.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear,
and there is no one there to dry your tears,
I could hold you for a million years
to make you feel my love.

I know you haven't made your mind up yet,
but I would never do you wrong.
I've known it from the moment that we met,
no doubt in my mind where you belong.

I'd go hungry; I'd go black and blue,
I'd go crawling down the avenue.
No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do
to make you feel my love.

The storms are raging on the rolling sea
and on the highway of regret.
Though winds of change are throwing wild and free,
you ain't seen nothing like me yet.

I could make you happy, make your dreams come true.
Nothing that I wouldn't do.
Go to the ends of the Earth for you,
to make you feel my love.

http://www.billboard.com/news/adele-wins-songwriting-honors-at-ivor-novello-1007093552.story#/news/adele-wins-songwriting-honors-at-ivor-novello-1007093552.story

Robert Burns poem?

I was browsing YouTube looking for the audio of "Oh, Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast" by Robert Burns and found this lovely Ukrainian vocal band. I have no idea what they're saying, but it certainly is nice (I hope).