My country, ’tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountainside,
Let freedom ring!
My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.
Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees,
Sweet freedom’s song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.
Our fathers’ God, to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom’s holy light;
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King!
- Samuel F. Smith
*cinemagraph via Oh, Hello Friend via super-glue
I <3 America! I am so thankful for my freedom, for those who gave their all to secure it, and for our heroes and heroines who are doing their best to continue to preserve it. I am well aware that freedom does not come without a price, and I am truly grateful for those who were and are willing to pay that price – both our military members and those who love them and are waiting for them to come home.
Happy Birthday, USA!
