One of my favorite parts of the Super Bowl is the singing of the national anthem. Even though "The Star-Spangled Banner" is sung before all athletic events in the United States, when it is sung at the Super Bowl, it is taken to a new level. The result sounding more majestic and magnificant.
Since the September 11 attacks, a new song tradition was added to the Super Bowl. Before the singing national anthem, the song "America the Beautiful" is sung. This year's Super Bowl, country singers Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert sang it as a beautiful duet.
If I had my way, "America the Beautiful" would be our national anthem. Where "The Star-Spangled Banner" celebrates America's faith, strength and bravery, "America the Beautiful" describes America's history and breadth.
In my humble opinion, "America the Beautiful" is a better representation of us. Not to mention, it is so much easier to sing.
In case you are not familiar with the lyrics of "America the Beautiful," here's a refresher. Sorry there isn't a bouncing ball for you to follow as you sing it to yourself.
"America the Beautiful"
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 impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness
America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.
O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country lov'd,
And mercy more than life.
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry 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.
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