Friday Faves #20-Patriotic Songs

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     There are a lot of patriotic holidays this time of year.  We already had Armed Forces Day. This weekend is Memorial Day.  June 6 is D-day. June 14 is Flag Day. Then it won't be long after that when July 4th will get here and we celebrate Independence Day!  We are a music loving and country loving family, so that is what inspired today's Friday Fave question:

What is your favorite Patriotic Song?

   Madalynn's first choice, and my first thought was Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA".  After 9-11 this song had a big resurgence in popularity, but I remember it from years ago when it first came out and my husband was in the military.  It is the type of song that everyone can sing and feel the pride it inspires for our country.  My first copy of this song was on a cassette tape.  You can order a CD on Amazon for a dollar at this link!

" I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me.
And I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
'cause there ain't no doubt I love this Land, 
God bless the USA!"

     Alicia almost chose the National Anthem, but then changed to The Battle Hymn of the Republic.  This is an all time favorite because as Alicia says, it is fun to sing but there is also a religious tie in as it talks about how we need to further God's work in our country and his truth will prevail.  

"His truth is marching on!"

     Here is a beautiful version by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  It is available on CD or MP3.

     The song that came to my mind after I thought about this question a bit is "This is My Country."  I can remember my heart swelling with pride as I sang along to these words:

"What diff'rence if I hail from North or South
Or from the East or West?
My heart is filled with love for all of these.
I only know I swell with pride and deep within my breast
I thrill to see Old Glory paint the breeze."

    I found this song on this CD that contains many other great Patriotic songs and hymns, such as "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", "Yankee Doodle", "America the Beautiful" and, "The Star Spangled Banner."  They are performed by various artists.

     Lindsey chose "America the Beautiful" as her fave.  She said, "​I just think the lyrics are so beautiful. It talks about how beautiful the land of America is, and the spirit of the American people (or at least what it used to be.)'

"Oh, beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life!"

"That is so beautiful. Heroes who love mercy more than life. I wish everyone knew how lucky the are to be born in this country where they have rights and freedoms others only dream of. Then maybe they'd stop fighting so hard to take them all away."

     I found another collection of patriotic songs sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford!  Wow! That takes me back! Who remembers his beautiful bass voice?  I can just imagine how gorgeous these songs must sound in his deep, booming voice! 

     Finally, we won't leave out our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.  A song more important than just the thing you sing before kick off at a football game.  It is a song about a symbol of our country.  "The land of the free and the home of the brave!"  
       When I was in college at BYU, I used to walk onto campus early every morning to go to class.  Every morning, at 8:00 AM, The Star Spangled Banner was played.  As it played, everyone would stop and wait respectfully with their hands over their hearts.  I always felt proud and united at that moment with my fellow students that we would take those few moments to consider the blessing that we had of attending a school of our choice in a free country.  Unfortunately, there are always a few who do not remember to stop and listen or who are painfully (to me) unaware of the etiquette that should be observed during the playing of the National Anthem.  So, today I checked the USA.gov website to be able to share proper etiquette tips for listening to The Star Spangled Banner.

• When the anthem plays and the flag is present, stand, face the flag and place your hand over your heart as a sign of respect.
• If for some reason there’s no flag in the ceremony, face toward the music and act as if a flag were there.
  
• Hats- if you’re not in a military uniform and are wearing a hat, remove it with your right hand and hold it over your left shoulder, while your hand is over your heart.
  
• Members of the military in uniform should salute throughout the playing of the anthem.
  

     Do people even teach these things to their kids anymore?  I know that when I was growing up, on Saturday mornings my brother and I would wake up early to watch cartoons.  The station would show the flag waving and play the National Anthem as the station started the day's programming.  My brother and I would stand up, just the two of us and face the TV with our hands on our hearts.  I am so glad that my parents taught us that respect for our country.  (You might understand why better if you read this post.)  I hope that the points I have just shared will help to remind others to teach these things to the up coming generation.  

     Let's teach love of God and Country and use some of these beautiful songs to help us do it.  We need to build up and not tear down in today's troubled world.  What patriotic songs do you love? 
      Have a wonderful and meaningful Memorial Day! Talk to you next week.