[pttttt]

America the Beautiful was originally a poem without a tune, written about the turn of the 20th century by Katherine Lee Bates, who now is claimed a hero by lesbian groups (who knows... she didn't wear the t-shirt and isn't around to speak for herself but you'll see it if you search against her same). Lots of history.

But people were inclined to set it to music. There were numerous (at least 80) published tunes for America the Beautiful (which I guess you can still find sheet music for - collect 'em all) prior to 1913, when the present tune, a tune called "Materna" composed in 1888 by Sam Ward for an old Episcopal hymn "Oh Mother Dear, Jerusalem" became the accepted tune for ATB. Sam Ward died in 1903 and never knew the impact of his tune.

[Great Dane]

#154........... Interesting history.