The problem with “God Bless America” is that there’s no there there. “We love America, rinse and repeat.” It doesn’t say anything about what is laudable or significant about America’s history or potential; one could replace “America” with the name of any other four-syllable country — Australia, for example — and have just as fitting a song.

As far as the official anthem is concerned, Asimov convinced me that it really needs all of it’s verses, or at least 1, 2, and 4. 1 is the question, 2 is the answer, 3 is that the British drool (maybe we don’t need to rub in that part in this day and age), and 4 is that America rules! When the anthem is played, I usually sing either 2 or 4 in my head.

Meh. Definitely doesn’t rank.

Ain’t never been partial to antelope, myself.

I forgot the link, but apparently just saying that and then posting the link causes your site to think I’m a spammer. So I have to ACTUALLY spam you by filling this box with a lot of nonsense before posting the link so it won’t think I’m just posting random links. There’s some vital lesson hidden here, I’m quite sure. https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2019/07/02/737639126/the-songs-that-define-us-from-nprs-american-anthem-series

This orange circle with the white arrow gave me a lot to think about in terms of anthems. I was interrupted before I finished it, but I was a little surprised not to hear Home on the Range as I’ve heard it proposed as our anthem many times.