What is the title of my country tis of thee?
The words for the song “America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee) were written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1831, but the melody is much older and has been used for songs in many countries.
Where did the song My Country Tis of Thee come from?
”My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” is an American patriotic hymn written in 1831 by a Baptist seminary student, Samuel Francis Smith. Smith composed the lyrics after being inspired by a German Lutheran hymn, and set the melody to the tune of ”God Save the King. ”
Why Does My Country Tis of Thee sound like God Save the Queen?
Symphony No. 3 by Muzio Clementi contains the melody of “God Save The Queen” (or “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” if you are American) as a tribute to the United Kingdom, which was Clementi’s adopted country. It was this melody in Symphony No. 3 that caught Samuel Francis Smith’s ear.
What do the words in my country tis of thee mean?
The word ’tis is an older contraction of “it is” the same as “it’s.” Thee is older English for “you.” So “my country tis of thee” means “my country it is of you.”
Why would my country tis of thee never be an American national anthem?
When Smith decided to attach some new words to the attractive tune in front of him, he believed he was creating an appropriately elevated piece of patriotic music, one with American sentiments but a European melody. So, “My Country ’tis of Thee” both was and was not written as an act of deference to Great Britain.
Which words does Dr. King quote from my country tis of thee?
Which words does King quote from, “My Coutry Tis of Thee?” My country tis of thee, sweet land of Liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.
Why did Dr King quote My country tis of thee?
King was thinking of the connection to Boston, Massachusetts where the Abolitionists worked to end slavery in the South before and during the Civil War. It was also the city where the song had been sung for the first time over a century before at Park Street Church.