Posted on 05/25/2015 8:04:43 AM PDT by Baynative
Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we'd have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans. This was the era just before TV, when radio shows were HUGE, and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers, and no entertainer of that era was bigger than Kate Smith. Kate was also large; plus size, as we now say, and the popular phrase still used today is in deference to her, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings". Kate Smith might not have made it big in the age of TV, but with her voice coming over the radio, she was the biggest star of her time. Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring . She had hope for America , and faith in her fellow Americans.
She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer, Irving Berlin (who also wrote "White Christmas") and asked him to write a song that would make Americans feel good again about their country. When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her. He went to his files and found a song that he had written, but never published, 22 years before - way back in 1917. He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra. She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from God Bless America . Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties from this song. This video starts out with Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the orchestra and an audience.
She introduces the new song for the very first time, and starts singing. After the first couple verses, with her voice in the background still singing, scenes are shown from the 1940 movie, "You're In The Army Now." At the 4:20 mark of the video you see a young actor in the movie, sitting in an office, reading a paper; it's Ronald Reagan. To this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our country. Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the results would be for her fellow Americans during those years of hardship and worry. And for many generations of Americans to follow.
Now that you know the story of the song, I hope you'll enjoy it and treasure it even more. Many people don't know there's a lead in to the song since it usually starts with "God Bless America ....." So here's the entire song as originally sung..... ENJOY!
The original lyrics, written in 1917, included this line..
"..Stand beside her, and guide her, to the right, with a light, form above...."
When he gave Kate Smith the song, he changed the phrase, given the rise of Nazism and Fascism.
From my perspective, America now, more than ever, needs to be guided to the right, AND the light..
Thanks -it’s all good.
I like the alliteration. But, it always seemed to me that “to right” was meant in the context of correct, just or honorable. (whaddya think?)
Nobody could sing that song like Kate Smith. I remember watching her on TV as a kid.
Can’t miss Ronald Reagan in that.
Wow, thanks!
I agree..that’s what Berlin meant...but in the context of 1938...his change is understandable..
“... “to right” was meant in the context of correct, just or honorable.”
And isn’t it? ;o)
Finally. “America the Beautiful” should have been the national anthem. A far superior song. Never cared for “God Bless America”.
In either context, it works for me.
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