[Pyro7480]

The only problem with "America" is the tune is exactly the same as "God Save the Queen."

[Stone Mountain]

The only problem with "America" is the tune is exactly the same as "God Save the Queen."

Nope, that's My country 'tis of Thee...

[Texas Eagle]

Why is that a problem? The National Anthem is sung to the tune of an old English beer drinking song?

[Caesar Soze]

"A recent Harris poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans don't even know the words....."

Maybe one third knows the first verse. But there's no way one third knows the whole thing. (Admission: I am not even sure the second through fourth verses count as part of the "national anthem," though they are certainly part of the composition.)

The only problem with "America" is the tune is exactly the same as "God Save the Queen."

And the Star-Spangled Banner is exactly the same tune as "To Anacreon In Heaven."

[Mikey_1962]

You are thinking of My Country Tis of Thee...

Irving Berlin wrote God Bless America

[Old Seadog]

"The only problem with "America" is the tune is exactly the same as "God Save the Queen

Your confusing that with "My Country Tis Of Thee".

[P-Marlowe]

The only problem with "America" is the tune is exactly the same as "God Save the Queen."

AMERICA

ANITA
Puerto Rico,
My heart’s devotion--
Let it sink back in the ocean.
Always the hurricanes blowing,
Always the population growing,
And the money owing.
And the sunlight streaming,
And the natives steaming.
I like the island Manhattan,
Smoke on your pipe and put that in.

GIRLS (chorus)
I like to be in America,
Okay by me in America,
Everything free in America -

BERNARDO
For a small fee in America.

ANITA
Buying on credit is so nice.

BERNARDO
One look at us and they charge twice.

ROSALIA
I’ll have my own washing machine.

JUANO
What will you have, though, to keep clean?

ANITA
Skyscrapers bloom in America.

ANOTHER GIRL
Cadillacs zoom in America.

ANOTHER GIRL
Industry boom in America.

BOYS
Twelve in a room in America.

ANITA
Lots of new housing with more space.

BERNARDO
Lots of doors slamming in our face.

ANITA
I’ll get a terrace apartment.

BERNARDO
Better get rid of your accent.

ANITA AND THREE GIRLS
Life can be bright in America.

BERNARDO
If you can fight in America.

ALL GIRLS
Life is all right in America.

ALL BOYS
If you’re all white in America.

(an interlude of WHISTLING and DANCING)

ANITA AND CONSUELO
Here you are free and you have pride.

BERNARDO
Long as you stay on your own side.

ANITA
Free to be anything you choose.

ALL BOYS
Free to wait tables and shine shoes.

BERNARDO
Everywhere grime in America,
Organized crime in America,
Terrible time in America.

ANITA
You forget I’m in America.

(An interlude of MORE DANCING)

BERNARDO
I think I go back to San Juan

ANITA
I know a boat you can get on.

BERNARDO
Everyone there will give big cheer.

ANITA
Everyone there will have moved here.


Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
© 1956, 1957 Amberson Holdings LLC and Stephen Sondheim. Copyright renewed.
Leonard Bernstein Music Publishing Company LLC, Publisher.