The Song, “America”

                                    Gratefully dedicated to its author, S.F. Smith

“America,” blessed song,

Breathing of freedom, strong,

     And sweet accord;

We love thy words, so true,

Thy tune, forever new;

We love thy author, too,

     Crown him, O, Lord.

“Our song”, thou art to-day,

“our song”, for e’er thou’lt stay,

     Till end of time;

Let every peopled spot,

Palace or humble cot;

Let every patriot,

     Prasie thee, sublime.

And thou, who gave to us

Such never dying verse,

     Keep well and strong;

Let thy declining days

Know naught but heaven’s ways;

Let every young heart praise

     Thee and thy song.

April 2, 1895

         1895

       April 3^rd

 A copy of this poem

sent to Boston Daily

Standard Junior, also

to the author of

“America” to whom

it is dedicated.

Pub. April 4, 1895

Kindly letter received from Dr. Smith, April 3, 1895

Samuel Francis Smith (October 21, 1808 – November 16, 1895) was a Baptist minister, journalist, and author. He is best known for having written the lyrics to "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", which he entitled "America".

Smith attended Harvard College (now Harvard University) from 1825 to 1829, and was a classmate of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Professor and author Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. recommended Smith as a potential candidate for an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Harvard University in 1893. Harvard president Charles William Eliot declined, noting that My Country 'Tis of Thee was better known for its tune, which Smith did not write, rather than its lyrics. Holmes disagreed, noting that "his song will be sung centuries from now, when most of us and our pipings are forgotten."

                                                                                        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Francis_Smith