America the Beautiful Lyrics

Written By: The Good and the Beautiful Published On:

“America the Beautiful” is sung at events and celebrations across the nation. America’s cherished anthem paints a colorful picture of America’s landscape and connects with many. Learn about this patriotic song’s story and download our free printable of the lyrics.


“America the Beautiful” Lyrics

  • O beautiful for spacious skies,
    For amber waves of grain,
    For purple mountain majesties
    Above the fruited plain!
    America! America!
    God shed his grace on thee
    And crown thy good with brotherhood
    From sea to shining sea!

    O beautiful for pilgrim feet
    Whose stern, impassioned stress
    A thoroughfare for freedom beat
    Across the wilderness!
    America! America!
    God mend thine every flaw,
    Confirm thy soul in self-control,
    Thy liberty in law!

  • O beautiful for heroes proved
    In liberating strife,
    Who more than self their country loved,
    And mercy more than life!
    America! America!
    May God thy gold refine
    Till all success be nobleness
    And every gain divine!

    O beautiful for patriot dream
    That sees beyond the years
    Thine alabaster cities gleam
    Undimmed by human tears!
    America! America!
    God shed his grace on thee
    And crown thy good with brotherhood
    From sea to shining sea!

Click below to download the lyrics of “America the Beautiful” and the original poem behind the song!

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The Story of “America the Beautiful”

During an 1893 hiking trip in Colorado, Katharine Lee Bates was inspired to write what would become one of the most famous songs in US history: “America the Beautiful.” Bates was a professor, poet, and writer who traveled up Pike’s Peak by covered wagon and mules along with fellow teachers from Colorado College.

At the 14,000-foot mountain summit, Katharine stood in awe. She later recalled that moment: “I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse.”

Bates wrote a beautiful poem about her incredible experience. The poem was first published on July 4, 1895, in The Congregationalist. A few months later, Silas G. Pratt set the poem to music, and by 1900, more than 75 musical versions of “America the Beautiful” existed. 

However, Samuel Ward’s 1882 “Materna” hymn has stood the test of time as the tune Americans recognize and sing today. Over the years, Bates made updates to the poem’s original lines, updating them in 1904 and for a final time in 1911. 

Have you ever been inspired by the incredible beauty of the United States of America? If so, tell us about your experience in the comments below!

Print a copy of the lyrics to “America the Beautiful” and of Bates’s original poem.

  • Graphic of Watercolor Mountains
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Frequently Asked Questions About “America the Beautiful”

What are the original lyrics to “America the Beautiful”?

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife,
When once or twice, for man’s avail,
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain,
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!

Who wrote the lyrics for “America the Beautiful”?

Katharine Lee Bates, a professor, poet, and writer, wrote the lyrics to the beloved song "America the Beautiful.” She wrote the song in 1893 during a trip to Colorado.

Who wrote the music for “America the Beautiful”?

While Silas G. Pratt was the first person to set “America the Beautiful” to music, by 1900, over 75 musical renditions of “America the Beautiful” existed. The version of “America the Beautiful" that Americans sing today was composed by Samuel Ward.

What inspired “America the Beautiful”?

“America the Beautiful” was inspired by the beautiful landscape Katharine Lee Bates, the author of the lyrics, saw when she traveled to the top of Pike’s Peak, a mountain in Colorado.

Have the lyrics to “America the Beautiful” changed over time

The lyrics of “America the Beautiful” were adopted from a poem written by Katharine Lee Bates, and the lyrics have changed slightly over time. Over the years, Bates made updates to her poem’s original lines, updating them in 1904 and for the final time in 1911.

What are the FREE printable PDFs that accompany the blog post for “America the Beautiful”?

The free printable PDFs that accompany the blog post are a copy of the lyrics to “America the Beautiful" and a copy of the original poem the song was adapted from!

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5 comments

Max

God bless America 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Helena Canale

Wonderful God bless America and the Americans salute from Mexico two countries with American Mexican families

Arona

God bless you!

Ella Kopytko

Thank you! 🇺🇸

Ms. Renda

Thank you.

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