Americans love their country. They also love to sing about their country. American patriotic songs have a rich and colorful history. This history spans the centuries and ties the past to the present and citizen to citizen. No American has grown up without learning a few of these top American patriotic songs:

1) The Star Spangled Banner: No American patriotic song is dearer than this. Many Americans don’t realize that its author, Francis Scott Key, originally entitled his patriotic poem “Defence of Fort McHenry.” This is because it was based on his recollection of the bombing of Fort McHenry in Maryland during the War of 1812. Key saw in his mind’s eye the proud U.S. flag continuing to wave amidst the devastation in the wake of the bombing.

Key’s poem was eventually set to an already popular tune. The original poem has four stanzas, which are rarely sung today. The three additional stanzas are worth a reading though for the beautifully descriptive language which they contain.

2) My Country ‘Tis of Thee: This poem was first written by theological student Samuel Francis Smith in 1831. Smith had been asked by a friend to translate a German tune into English. This particular poem just happened to be set to the same tune as the British anthem “God Save the King/Queen.”

Smith got distracted from the task at hand, instead composing his own patriotic lyrics for the tune. The poem turned out to be “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” also sometimes referred to as “America.” It was debuted on July 4, 1832, sung by a group of children at an Independence Day celebration.

3) Stars and Stripes Forever: This familiar march was written by John Philip Sousa in 1896. Sousa was a talented musician and United States Marine. He served in the Corps from 1868-1875, and then again from 1880-1892, a career man to be sure.

His early days in the Marine Corps were spent as an apprentice musician. He honed his musical skills during his five year absence from the corps. He became conductor of the Marine Corps band during his second stint. It was after his departure from the corps that Sousa composed “Stars and Stripes Forever.” It was later adopted as the U.S.A.’s national march by an act of Congress.

4) America The Beautiful: This American patriotic song is so loved that it has been periodically proposed as a replacement for “The Star Spangled Banner” as national anthem.  It hasn’t managed to knock it out of the running yet. Still, this beautifully descriptive poem, written by Katharine Lee Bates in 1895 remains almost as cherished.

The tune, composed by Samuel A. Ward, was originally written for another set of lyrics.  A few years after its publishing, it was discovered to be a perfect fit for Bates’ tribute. The two have been inseparable ever since.

5) God Bless America: Irving Berlin was one of best-known and well-loved singers, song-writers, actors and directors in American history. He managed to achieve this status despite the fact that he was not born in the United States. Born in Russia (now Belarus,) Berlin immigrated to the U.S. as a young child. He established himself in the entertainment industry likewise at a young age.

He was widely known as fiercely loyal to the United States and devotedly patriotic. It was no surprise to anyone that he should spin out such a beautiful tribute to his adopted country in 1918. The song became an instant American classic when it was sung by Kate Smith in 1938.

All of these great American patriotic songs were written over a century ago. Their continued popularity today remains a testament to their untimely sentiments.

Nothing stirs the heart of a patriot in the United States like fireworks accompanied by a rousing rendition of God Bless America. The top songs of America are some of the most easily recognized pieces of music in the Western world. “America the Beautiful,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “The Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” are well-known and well-loved songs. They all have histories as rich and colorful as the nation they praise.

The words for “America the Beautiful” were written in 1893 by an English professor from Wellesley College named Katharine Lee Bates on a train trip to Colorado Springs. She was inspired by the sights outside her window, and she put her thoughts down on paper. It was published two years later in commemoration of the Fourth of July. The poem caught the public’s attention, and the words were adapted to a tune from composer Samuel A. Ward, which was written in 1882. The song attained great popularity during the first two decades of the 20th century.

The tune of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” was written in approximately 1855 by William Steffe. The lyrics were different, and it was used as a campfire spiritual. An early version of the lyrics were written by Thomas Bishop around 1860, and they were used as a walking song entitled “John Brown’s Body” by the Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War. Julia Ward Howe heard the song and changed the lyrics to the ones widely known today. It was originally published in The Atlantic Monthly in February 1862.

“God Bless America” was written by Irving Berlin in 1918. Berlin revised the song in 1938, and it then became a signature song of vocalist Kate Smith. He revived the song as World War II loomed on the horizon in the hopes of building national morale. Berlin wrote the song while serving in the U.S. Army at Camp Upton in New York. The song inspired Woody Guthrie to write another classic American anthem, “This Land is Your Land,” in 1940.

Many other patriotic songs are popular, but “The Star Spangled Banner” is the official national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics were written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key as Royal Navy ships bombed Fort McHenry in Maryland during the War of 1812. The tune comes from a popular British drinking song called “To Anacreon in Heaven.” It was composed by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society, a popular social club in London. It was recognized for official use by the Navy in 1889. “Hail, Columbia” and various other songs previously served as the national anthem over the years, but they all paled in comparison to this moving tune. The song was officially designated as the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931, which was then signed by President Herbert Hoover. It is often sung at the beginning of sporting event, holidays and official state events.

Patriotic songs are as much a part of the rich tapestry of America as apple pie and baseball games. In fact, they often go hand in hand.

“Mine eyes have seen the glory” is one of the most powerful and recognized opening lines in the history of American song. The Battle Hymn of the Republic is the quintessential fight song of the United States, as well as its call-to-arms.

The Battle Hymn of the Republic has gone through many changes. Its form and lyrics have evolved for years to reach its present incarnation. Begun as a camp meeting spiritual by William Steffe in the 1850s, it was a call to meet on the shores of Canaan, the land of ancient Biblical promise. The main lyric that survived this incarnation was the refrain of “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!” The song traveled across the land quickly, but it was some time before it became known as The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

A regiment of Union soldiers took the tune and fashioned their own pre-Battle Hymn of the Republic marching song. It was called “John Brown’s Body.” Many assumed it was about the famed abolitionist of the same name, but it was written as a jab to a fellow soldier.

Major General George B. McClellan found the song highly offensive. He even tried to ban it from being sung in the Army of the Potomac, but he was never successful. Verses were gradually added about John Brown the abolitionist, and the original intention of the song was lost to history.

Julie Howe was visiting a Union Army camp along the Potomac when she heard the soldiers singing “John Brown’s Body” as they marched. She was struck by the melody and strong rhythm of the song. The Reverend James Clarke, who was by her side as the soldiers marched, hinted that she should write new words for the song.

Howe went to sleep that night, and, as the grey morning light crept into her room, she found a poem forming in her mind. She sprang from her bed, found an old pen and scribbled the words down without even looking at the paper. Five verses of Howe’s Battle Hymn of the Republic were soon published in The Atlantic Monthly. Though she had written a sixth verse, it has never been commonly sung and is usually not printed.

The Republican Party later adopted The Battle Hymn of the Republic for the closing ceremony of their annual convention. It also became the basis for the American Consumers’ Cooperative movement’s anthem, The Battle Hymn of Cooperation, in the 1930s.

Through all this, The Battle Hymn of the Republic has remained a shining example of a time when generals would boost soldiers’ morale with promises of the glory of God. Its words seem archaic now, but the song is resilient.

Martin Luther King Jr. frequently quoted the verses of The Battle Hymn of the Republic in his speeches, most notably from the steps of the Montgomery, Alabama courthouse. He used the song to inspire others to rise up against oppression, to have faith in righteous actions, and to sacrifice for a greater goal. This is at the heart of the lasting legacy of the song. It is not a call to battle to the death, but a call to battle against the evils of society. God’s truth will continue to march on.

In 1940, Woody Guthrie sat down and wrote his personal response to the song ‘God Bless America.’ He felt a different story of America needed telling. This story would celebrate the beauty of the American expanse. At the same time, it would also celebrate the average working citizen who labored across the land. The result of his creativity was ‘This Land is Your Land,’ a song that is still taught in school music classes.

Woody Guthrie felt ‘God Bless America’ ignored the inequities in the capitalist system. He felt it was an unrealistic view of America. He held the view that too many citizens had too little. He believed that too small a segment of the population owned the greatest proportion of wealth.

This was evident in versions that never made it into print or onto records. These versions espoused more of his political views about the state of America. Over the years, he often changed the lyrics to the song, giving different performances of it.

One of the published versions of his lyrics includes this verse:

In the squares of the city - In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin’ and some are wonderin’
If this land’s still made for you and me.

The original title of this song by Guthrie was ‘God Blessed America for Me.’ He eventually changed the line to ‘This land was made for you and me.’ The song received its first recording in 1944 with Guthrie and folk singer Cisco Houston. First published in 1951, it was included in a book with nine other songs.

Guthrie was born on July 14, 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma. He experienced life during the Great Depression and witnessed its effects on the average blue-collar worker. He saw first-hand the trek by workers to find work on the West Coast.

By 1936, Guthrie landed in Los Angeles, like so many from other parts of the country. In the spring of 1938, he spent time going from place to place singing for the migrant workers.

He ended up with the moniker ‘Dust Bowl Troubadour’ as he followed the paths of these workers. As they traveled from Oklahoma to California Guthrie wrote songs about their lives and trials.

He developed his own views of the world around him and these became manifest in his songwriting. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s exposed him to the racism and class struggles that these workers faced.

His wandering lifestyle across America instilled in him a great compassion for everyday Americans. He came to appreciate the variety of races and cultures that made up the country. Along with Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie was responsible for the folk revival of the 1930s and 1940s.

In 1940, he ended up in New York City, a move that propelled his career forward. He wrote and recorded here, wrote ‘This Land is Your Land,’ did radio, and generally made a decent living.

George M. Cohan’s encounter with a Civil War veteran inspired a song that became a Broadway hit. From there it became a household name.

That song was, and is, “You’re a Grand Old Flag”. This song celebrates Old Glory and all that it stands for. The song is a patriotic march with a catchy lilt and equally catchy lyrics. It certainly is a summer concert-in-the park favorite.

George Cohan found himself next to a veteran of the Battle of Gettysburg one day. He noticed the man had a neatly- folded American flag in his hands but that it was ragged looking. This man said to Cohan, “She’s a grand old rag.”

This triggered an idea for a song in Cohan’s head and he wrote one using this line. There was consternation from people over the term ‘rag’. Many felt it was an insult to the Stars and Stripes and they wanted that word removed from the lyrics. Cohan did just that, changing the word to ‘flag,’ and the rest is American musical history.

Cohan wrote the tune in 1906 for his stage production ‘George Washington Jr.’ The play, and the song, premiered on February 6, 1906 at the Herald Square Theater in New York City. The story starred Cohan, who played a U.S. Senator’s son who desires a simple girl from the southern United States. His father has different aims - wanting his son to link up with an English woman of prominence. The story is their battle to achieve two different goals.

The play and the song ‘You’re a Grand Old Flag’ were a huge success. From Broadway it subsequently moved into America’s living rooms over the years because of record and sheet music sales. In fact, this was the first song from a stage musical to sell over a million sheet music copies.
You’re a Grand Old Flag became a staple at the family piano and was played across the country. The tune is bright and positive. It evokes feelings of national pride, and one cannot help being uplifted upon hearing it.

George M. Cohan was born in 1878 in Providence, Rhode Island. His parents were Vaudeville performers who continually toured the country. George traveled with them, along with his older sister Josephine. He honed his show business skills as a member of the Four Cohans – this mother-father-sister-brother act. They kept up a hellish tour schedule with the B.F.Keith Circuit and belted out four to six performances a day. This paved the way for the big time for Cohan, the dues-paying years teaching him much.

Eventually Cohan became a prolific Tin Pan Alley tunesmith and penned many popular songs. Others included “Life’s A Funny Proposition After All,” “I Want to Hear a Yankee Doodle Tune,” and “Over There.” His influence was so great he earned the moniker “The Man Who Owned Broadway.” Along with that he is known as the father of American musical comedy.

Cohan was not only a songwriter. He wore these hats as well in his career:

* Playwright
* Composer
* Actor
* Singer
* Dancer
* Director
* Librettist
* Producer

His influence and popularity as a true American entertainer resulted in a film about his life. This film was Yankee Doodle Dandy, which portrayed his rise from his Vaudeville days to his Broadway success.

Today, Broadway and its tunes may be a whole lot different from Cohan’s time. They still owe a debt of gratitude, however, to this eminent American songwriter and his stage musicals.

Songs like “You’re a Grand Old Flag” still speak today to people who are thankful of and appreciate the opportunity America offers.

What is it about The Yankee Doodle Boy, that puts a smile on one’s face and sets toes a-tapping’? It’s the verve and variety inherent in a great tunesmith’s song that gets pianos playing and people singing.

Written by George Michael Cohan, “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy” was ‘Broadway Composer Cohan’ at his best. Today, the wit of the lyrics and the song’s tempo and temperament continue to elicit applause in theaters nationwide.

George Cohan was born at Providence, Rhode Island in 1878. He started out in show business in Vaudeville, traveling with his performing father, mother, and sister. Vaudeville is where Cohan learned the nuances of live performing and keeping audiences entertained. He was part of The Four Cohans, the name his family used as their marquee title.

Eventually Cohan made it to Tin Pan Alley as a songwriter, and Broadway as a prolific creator of musicals. “The Man Who Owned Broadway” became a catch phrase for this talented composer during his heyday in New York City. Another name bestowed on him was “The Father of American Musical Comedy”. He wrote his own play scripts, music, and lyrics.

The song The Yankee Doodle Boy is from the musical comedy Little Johnny Jones. This was Cohan’s first full-length musical, and his family performed in the original production.

Though not an initial success on Broadway, the musical eventually achieved acclaim after some reworking. The song is a lively number with flair. The song line “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy” is sung with unabashed patriotism. The song includes the proudly American chorus:

I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy
A Yankee Doodle, do or die
A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam
Born on the Fourth of July

The wit in the lyrics of the song was also manifest in the play itself as seen in the tongue-in-cheek name of a girl from San Francisco, Goldie Gates. Cohan’s sense of humor came through in his storyline, music, and verse.

The musical opened on Broadway in New York City at the Liberty Theater, on November 7, 1904. It’s the story of a jockey, Johnny Jones, who rides a horse called Yankee Doodle in the English Derby. Cohan based the character of Johnny on Hall of Fame jockey Todd Sloan (1874-1933). Other popular songs to come out of the musical were ‘Give My Regards to Broadway’ and ‘Life’s a Funny Proposition’.

Eventually a film biography was developed about George Cohan. Called Yankee Doodle Dandy, this film starred James Cagney as Cohan. Joan Leslie and Walter Huston also had roles in this film. It celebrated the accomplishments of Cohan and his rise to fame.

He wore many hats during his career as a producer, composer, actor, writer, singer, and director. His sheer output as a songwriter was phenomenal. He had over 1,500 of his songs published, and he developed the art of melding drama with music.

Cohan livened up American theater with his tunes and plays, as the art form was heading into a stagnant time. He breathed fresh life into Broadway with his fresh, catchy, lyrics and music. Cohan, who achieved the American dream through sheer talent and hard work, was himself a true Yankee Doodle Dandy.

“When Johnny Comes Marching Home” is a song from the Civil War era that expresses the yearning by loved ones for their solders — their sons and husbands — to come marching home safely. It has endured now for over 150 years, and shows no signs of disappearing any time soon.

Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore wrote a song during the Civil War that continues to march its way through the years. This song, a yearning for loved ones to return safely from war, is “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”. Today this song endures, and it is part of many players’ piano repertoires of American Classics.

Gilmore was a Union Army Bandmaster and an excellent soloist on the cornet. He came to the United States in 1849 from Ireland, arriving in Boston. In 1861, his own ‘Patrick Gilmore’s Band’ enlisted in the Union Army. They were part of the 24th Massachusetts Infantry.

As the cruelties of war would have it, this band of musicians had dual roles. They performed as stretcher-bearers during the Civil War in places like Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, and others.

Not too many years later, Gilmore promoted peace after seeing so much war - with his Peace Jubilees. One, called the National Peace Jubilee (1869), consisted of over 1,000 instrumentalists and 10,000 singers.

Another, called the World Peace Jubilee (1872) consisted of 2,000 instrumentalists and 20,000 singers. These were impressive stagings on par with today’s modern musical and entertainment extravaganzas.

In fact, the 1872 World event had none other than Johann Strauss with orchestra as featured performers. Of course, this was at a cost of $100,000 and it was Strauss’s only visit to the United States.

Still inspired by his hope for peace and for soldiers to come home from war to a life they once knew, Gilmore wrote When Johnny Comes Marching Home in 1863 in New Orleans. At the time, he was Grand Master of the Union Army. He had the task of reorganizing the State of Louisiana’s military bands. During his tenure, the song made it from Gilmore’s creative mind onto music paper. It began a fantastic journey for this piece of music, one that continues to this day.

Some feel the song is similar to the Irish tune “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye”. This song tells the story of a soldier returning from war with crippling injuries. Gilmore stated that he adapted the song from an African American spiritual song. He wrote the song for his sister, Annie Gilmore, as a cry to her true love, John O’Rourke. A Union Army soldier, O’Rourke was the future brother-in-law of Patrick Gilmore.

When completed the song grew in popularity. It did indeed inspire hope in war-weary listeners, becoming popular in the North as well as the South.
It became a published piece of sheet music in 1863 when Henry Tolman and Company of Boston printed it. Dedicated to the Union’s Army and Navy, it really was a tribute to brave soldiers. It is interesting that Gilmore published it under another name, Louis Lambert, although a reference to his band was included. Some of Gilmore’s other works were, Good News from Home and 22nd Regiment March, among others.
You can hear When Johnny Comes Marching Home in films like ‘Stalag 17’ and ‘How the West was Won.’ The song plays as background music in a ‘Gone with the Wind’ scene.

In his life, Patrick Gilmore created Gilmore’s Concert Garden, which was to become the very first Madison Square Garden. He was also Music Director in 1876 in Philadelphia for the U.S. Centennial celebrations.
He received the honor of the name ‘Father of the American Band’ from John Philip Sousa. Sousa had the honor of the name ‘The March King’. Gilmore laid groundwork for composers like Sousa.

Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore, born on Christmas day in 1829 in Ballygar, Ireland, died in St. Louis in 1892. His legacy as a master bandleader, musician, and composer marches on.

Playing & Arranging American Patriotic Songs