Met baritone Robert Merrill always required at least six weeks of practice before singing it in public. It is that technically difficult. America the Beautiful, yes, but not the second half of the first verse as a refrain. It is being done that way now to avoid the line “God mend thine every flaw” by those who don’t think there are any. Much less “Confirm thy soul with self control, thy liberty with law.”
No, I was referring to the public occasions where that is not used, but uses the first verse “America, America, God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.” as a refrain on all verses to avoid the verses implying there is room for improvement.
Polsixe over 7 years ago
Oh say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light…
Duncan Idaho over 7 years ago
How about; If you don’t respect the anthem, you don’t get to play and get fined $100,000.00 ?
Timothy Madigan Premium Member over 7 years ago
As if people respect the moment (minute) of silence now.
That said, i’ve been at events where the singer didn’t show and the crowd sang it outselves, a cappella.
Plods with ...™ over 7 years ago
So…. “Drivers, start your engines!” isn’t the last four words?
hippogriff over 7 years ago
Duncan Idaho
I wouldn’t play for such a team nor support it in any way. It is totally anti-American.
hippogriff over 7 years ago
Linguist
Met baritone Robert Merrill always required at least six weeks of practice before singing it in public. It is that technically difficult. America the Beautiful, yes, but not the second half of the first verse as a refrain. It is being done that way now to avoid the line “God mend thine every flaw” by those who don’t think there are any. Much less “Confirm thy soul with self control, thy liberty with law.”
hcarpenter1 over 7 years ago
gee ya think
hippogriff over 7 years ago
Linguist
No, I was referring to the public occasions where that is not used, but uses the first verse “America, America, God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.” as a refrain on all verses to avoid the verses implying there is room for improvement.