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God Bless America - Kate Smith (1943)

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October 26, 2020, 03:57 PM
Jim Shugart
God Bless America - Kate Smith (1943)


Link to original video: https://youtu.be/TmfeNq5x5aQ



When a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth. - George Bernard Shaw
October 26, 2020, 04:11 PM
TigerDore
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
[FLASH_VI]

Thank you, Jim. I am embarrassed to say that I have never heard the lyrics that began the song and led into the first chorus. I have only heard it begin with "God Bless America...". I am very happy to hear this sung in its entirety, as intended.

It's great to Ronaldus Magnus in the video too!



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October 26, 2020, 04:17 PM
YooperSigs
My HS Choir sang this at halftime during our home football games. The entire crowd stood and sung along.
How sadly times have changed.


End of Earth: 2 Miles
Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
October 26, 2020, 04:17 PM
1967Goat
I did not know about the beginning of the song either. Interesting read here...
God Bless America Wiki
October 26, 2020, 04:23 PM
Modern Day Savage
Former FEMA director and Conservative talk show host Michael Brown used to end his show with Kate Smith singing this song, although I'm not sure if it was the rendition in the video.

That sports teams in Philadelphia and New York decided to remove her statue and discontinue playing her song during their home events in protest to the lyrics in a couple of her other songs, is just one more reason why I appreciate her full-throated version of this patriotic song.
October 26, 2020, 04:23 PM
armored
The GREATEST GENERATION!
Makes me ashamed of what we have created since they passed the baton to us.
October 26, 2020, 04:32 PM
GWbiker
Thanks, Jim.


*********
"Some people are alive today because it's against the law to kill them".
October 26, 2020, 04:48 PM
TigerDore
quote:
Originally posted by armored:
The GREATEST GENERATION!
Makes me ashamed of what we have created since they passed the baton to us.

I was also thinking about the timing of this song, 1943, and what Americans were going through, and praying about, during such an uncertain time.

I also thought about my father and mother. They were young newlyweds and he was going through the necessary training in the Army Air Corps to become a B17 pilot. He was getting shipped all over the country, and my mother dutifully followed, finding jobs wherever they were so she they could live off base and make ends meet.



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October 26, 2020, 06:33 PM
flashguy
Thank you very much! No one -- no one -- has sung that song with the honest devotion that Kate Smith did. I cry every time I hear it (patriotic fervor).

I have known the introductory words for many decades, and they are exemplary. It is a shame that they are so seldom also sung.

Someone said that this was Kate Smith's "signature song". I don't agree. Her "signature song" was "When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain".
https://video.search.yahoo.com...99249304&action=view

FWIW, did everyone notice the cameo appearance of #40 near the end, reading the newspaper?

flashguy




Texan by choice, not accident of birth
October 28, 2020, 10:45 PM
ontmark
Thanks Jim

Learned something new



Beware the man who only has one gun. He probably knows how to use it! - John Steinbeck
October 29, 2020, 06:21 AM
msfzoe
Great performance.
Brings back childhood memories.
Thanks for sharing.
October 29, 2020, 06:42 AM
Sunset_Va
Beautiful song.

The leftist Woody Gutherie, wrote "This Land is Your Land" to counter, God Bless America, from what I understand.


美しい犬