The ideals upon which America was founded are now forgotten by many. Yet these same ideals are buried in these songs of patriotism and faith. By singing these songs, we instill the truths contained in their words in our hearts. We learn once again to have faith in God, to gather and build community within our own families, and to delight in the blessings of living in a country with a wonderful history and heritage.
I committed an act of civil disobedience the other night.
I threw open the dining room window, plopped down at the piano beneath it, and with the family gathered around, flipped open the hymn book and began singing. Starting with “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” my family and I soon moved on to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” “America the Beautiful,” and other rousing hymns offering comfort and exhorting courage in the face of difficulties.
Okay, so it wasn’t quite an act of civil disobedience – but the way things are going, it certainly could become one soon. Depending on the state one lives in it may be one already, for singing is a condemned activity in the COVID era.
Regardless, I was amazed at how cathartic singing was. I shouldn’t have been surprised, for singing offers not only physical and mental benefits, but moral and emotional benefits as well.
Singing, science tells us, releases a few hormones that naturally lift our spirits and make us happy. These include endorphins and oxytocin, the latter of which relieves anxiety and stress. Singing also promises to help our memory and health – could this be a COVID therapy we’re missing out on? – while offering a sense of community.
It’s likely that some of the uplift my family and I received from our song fest was related to these scientific benefits, but I would guess that much of it was also related to these songs’ words.
For starters, many were militant, refusing to give up the fight for what is right and true, encouraging singers to give themselves selflessly for the country they love. They also recalled historical incidents important to our nation’s birth and survival, such as the arrival of our Pilgrim forefathers, while also reveling in the freedom we have long enjoyed.
But many of these songs also include heartfelt prayers. Take “America the Beautiful.” Many know the famous pleas for God to “shed his grace” on the country and crown its “good with brotherhood,” but how many have forgotten the second verse?
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
Heaven knows our nation has many flaws, one of which is the lack of self-control demonstrated by the lawless abandon in our city streets. Yet despite how bleak we may feel the outlook is, we still have recourse to cry out to God for His aid in a hopeless, messy situation.
Finally, these songs offer a pattern for brightening our gloomy, contentious days. Moving on from the patriotic songs, my family ended with the old hymns “Count Your Blessings” and “Thanks to God.” The former encourages us to count our blessings when we are “tempest-tossed” and “discouraged, thinking all is lost.” The latter also encourages a grateful heart regardless of one’s circumstances.
My voice was hoarse by the time we finished, but my spirits were lifted and I felt ready to face whatever comes next.
Unfortunately, I’m not the only one wrestling with being a bit down these days, which is why I tell you about my little act of civil disobedience and encourage you to indulge in the same.
The ideals upon which America was founded are now forgotten by many. Yet these same ideals are buried in these songs of patriotism and faith. By singing these songs, we instill the truths contained in their words in our hearts. We learn once again to have faith in God, to gather and build community within our own families, and to delight in the blessings of living in a country with a wonderful history and heritage.
That, my friends, is a little bit of homestyle civil disobedience which any American should be able to get behind.
Republished with gracious permission from Intellectual Takeout (November 2020).
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My parish has been singing MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE for over a month.
Mostly because we all know the tune.
BEAUTIFUL COMMENTARY, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
Excellent insights and a great reminder about the significance and power of song to raise our spirits, cement our beliefs, and improve our physical and spiritual health. We home-schooled our five kids and sang every patriotic song imaginable. Historically, every army marching into battle played its songs and football teams are known by their fight-songs. Throughout our many treks hiking the John Muir Trail with our kids we sang all the patriotic songs and in the difficult up-hill climbs we found our solace in The Reverend Mr. Black – “You’ve got to walk that lonesome valley, you’ve got to walk it by yourself, nobody else can walk it for you, you’ve got to walk it by ourself…” Finally, as a university professor teaching teachers singing was always included in my list of how to have kids remember you forever! Thanks for the excellent article.
… first rate — I wanted to hear, at the conclusion, that a small, appreciative crowd had gathered beneath the open window to listen and to sing …
Love this so much! We have a long history in my extended family of sing-alongs, but we have not been getting together during this. So sad! My kids and I still sing at home, and you’re right: it is so cathartic!
Thanks very much Annie. I’ve just pulled out my dusty “Hymnal for Youth” down from the shelf. I’d forgotten how wonderful it is to sing them – so many years later.
Remember all the verses! Battle Hymn of the Republic is not for the faint-hearted patriot. Wonder how many parishes would dare to sing this? Remember too when this was sung on the White House grounds in front of a beaming George W. Bush and the visiting Pope Benedict XVI, who was thrilled as well, because he knew this was the real Christian America.
“He has sounded forth the trumpet
That shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men
Before His judgement seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him;
Be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Chorus
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies
Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom
That transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy,
Let us die to make men free;
While God is marching on.”