Includes bibliographical references (pages 229-257) and index
Introduction: "You can sing what would be death to speak". -- "God save the!̲̲̲̲̲": institutionalizing, appropriating, and contesting nationalism through song, 1744-1798. -- "The subordination of the different parts and voices": popularizing "America" through grassroots activism, 1826-1850. -- "Bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy" in the "dark land of slavery", 1830-1859. -- "Teach us true liberty": "America" in the Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1869. -- Reforming the "sweet land of knavery": "America" and political protest, 1870-1932. -- Epilogue: "America", "God save the Queen", and postmodernity. -- Appendix A: Sixteen versions of "God save the King" and "My country 'tis of thee", organized chronologically, 1744-1891. -- Appendix B: List of alternative American versions of "God save the King" and "America", 1759-1900
This is a celebration and critical exploration of the complicated musical, cultural and political roles played by the song "America" over the last 250 years. Popularly known as "My Country 'tis of Thee"--And as "God Save the King/Queen" before that - this song has great political importance. The text chronicles the song's appropriation and adaption by colonial Americans, Southern slaveowners, abolitionalists, temperance campaigners and civil rights leaders. Because the song has been invoked by nearly every grassroots movement in American history, the story of "America" offers important insights on the story of democracy in the US.
