2007-02-26 10:18:22 · 30 answers · asked by Todd C 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's a SONG!
Here is some history on the song. The unofficial national anthem was composed by an immigrant who left his home in Siberia for America when he was only five years old. The original version of "God Bless America" was written by Irving Berlin (1888-1989) during the summer of 1918 at Camp Upton, located in Yaphank, Long Island, for his Ziegfeld-style revue, Yip, Yip, Yaphank. "Make her victorious on land and foam, God Bless America..." ran the original lyric. However, Berlin decided that the solemn tone of "God Bless America" was somewhat out of keeping with the more comedic elements of the show and the song was laid aside.
In the fall of 1938, as war was again threatening Europe, Berlin decided to write a "peace" song. He recalled his "God Bless America" from twenty years earlier and made some alterations to reflect the different state of the world. Singer Kate Smith introduced the revised "God Bless America" during her radio broadcast on Armistice Day, 1938. The song was an immediate sensation; the sheet music was in great demand. Berlin soon established the God Bless America Fund, dedicating the royalties to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.
It is clear from the full lyrics, that Berlin's song is in the form of a prayer for God's blessing and peace for the nation—"stand beside her and guide her through the night"—not an appeal to nationalistic sentiment nor a suggestion that the United States is particularly favored by God.
2007-02-26 10:40:08 · answer #1 · answered by Toe the line 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't take it seriously, it's just a song composed by Irving Berlin back in 1938. It's a song that musically demonstrates our patriotism. True, everyone should think God Bless the World, but it's specifically an American patriotic song, as every country has their own patriotic songs. There's no difference between America and other countries when it comes to patriotic songs, we all have 'em.
Why does Great Britain sing God Save the Queen/King? Shouldn't they sing God Save the World instead? No, because they're singing their national anthem, which happens to be named God Save the Queen/King.
Live and let live, a song is no big deal.
2007-02-26 10:29:40 · answer #2 · answered by Dolores G. Llamas 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it should be America bless God. Forget God blessing any nation in the world, there is not a one that deserves it.
2007-02-26 10:24:05 · answer #3 · answered by David 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
And God responds: How about "America Bless God"?. or "World Bless God"?
2007-02-26 10:39:25 · answer #4 · answered by bonsai bobby 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God bless America isn't a claim. It's a plea to a non existent god.
2007-02-26 10:27:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm always curious as to what form that blessing might take. For an alcoholic, it is regarded as a blessing to "hit bottom." Only upon reaching utter defeat can the sufferer begin to acknowledge the problem.
Does that idea also apply to nations? Would God bless America by allowing it to see its arrogance?
2007-02-26 10:26:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where to begin? First, we ask for God's blessings on our nation, just as every other country has the right to ask for the Almighty's blessings. Second, the US does more for the rest of the world routinely than any other nation on earth, now or ever. We don't ask God to do it, we do it ourselves, with the bounty he has already rewarded us with.
Next question?
2007-02-26 10:39:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is true and I agree. The only problem I have with this statement is the fact that God has already blessed america. Think of it this way...If you have a car, I don't care what kind of car, a car in general, you are more fortunate than most people in the world. If you have $1.00 in your pocket than again you are more fortunate than most in the world. I could go on and on...
2007-02-26 10:30:15 · answer #8 · answered by Ryeroe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the yank national Anthem is "The celeb-Spangled Banner" lyrics by skill of Francis Scott Key, track from an previous English eating track, "From Anacreon in Heaven." that's confusing to sing, even for experts. i like "God Bless usa" and "O Canada" the two. i replace into interior the Ontario technology Centre and that i observed an endless hydroplane racer with a Canadian flag on the tail. different than that particularly the maple leaf replace into replaced by skill of a pink marijuana, and below the flag it stated, "O hashish."
2016-10-16 13:34:30 · answer #9 · answered by rosen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about, "America Bless God."?
2007-02-26 10:26:25 · answer #10 · answered by bbjones9 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋