Note 11 — VI SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY
Reading edition
The origin of the words of the patriotic hymn, “America,” has been somewhat recently celebrated by an anniversary. The air, as is well known, is that of the national anthem of England, “God Save the King.” As such it has been in use, in one form or another, since the middle of the last century.
In 1832, Dr. S. F. Smith came upon it in a “book of German music,” and on the spur of the moment, as it appears, wrote for it the hymn “America.” This was in Andover, Mass., in February, 1832. The hymn was first sung publicly at a children’s celebration at the Park Street Church, Boston, on July 4th of that year.
“If I had anticipated the future of it, doubtless, I should have taken more pains with it,” wrote Doctor Smith, in 1872. “Such as it is, I am glad to have contributed this mite to the cause of American freedom.”