Samuel F. Smith Recalls Writing America / My Country, 'Tis of Thee

Autograph Letter Signed, to J. H. Johnston, June 5, 1887, Newton Centre, Massachusetts. 2 pp., 5 x 8 in. Together with SAMUEL F. SMITH, America, Autograph Manuscript Signed, 2 pp., 6 x 6 in. "I fell in with the tune, which pleased me; and, observing at a glance that the words were patriotic, without attempting to imitate . I was moved at once to write a song adapted to the music, & "America" is the result. I had no thought of writing a national hymn, and was surprised when it came to be widely used."In this letter, Smith discusses how he came to write the song "America" fifty-five years earlier when his friend, composer Lowell Mason, asked him to translate some German music books. Smith discovered a song, likely "Heil dir im Siegerkranz" ("Hail to Thee in the Victor's Crown"), which Heinrich Harries wrote in honor of King Christian VII of Denmark in 1790. Three years later, Bathasar Gerhard Schumacher adapted the lyrics for use in Prussia with a melody derived from the British royal anthem "God Save the King." From 1795 to 1918, it served as the royal anthem of Prussia, and from 1871 to 1918, it was the national anthem of the German Empire. Some German nationalists disrelished its Dutch and British roots, and it was replaced in the Weimar Republic (1918-1933). Smith was "moved at once to write song adapted to the music," and he showed the results to Mason, who "greatly admired it." According to Smith's memory, the song was first performed by a Sunday school choir in Boston on July 4, 1832, for Independence Day.[1] Its popularity grew, and it became one of the country's de facto national anthems as "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," until Congress adopted "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the official national anthem in 1931.Complete TranscriptNewton Centre, Mass., June 5, 1887.Mr. J. H. Johnston,Dear sir The hymn "America" was not written with reference to any special occasion. A friend (Mr. Lowell Mason) put into my hands a quantity of music books in the German language early in the year 1832, because, as he said I could read them and he couldn't, with the request that I would translate any of the hymns & songs which struck my fancy, or, neglecting the German words, write hymns or songs of my own, adapted to the times so that he could use the music. On a dismal day in Feb., turning over the leaves of one of these music books, I fell in with the tune, which pleased me; and, observing at a glance that the words were patriotic, without attempting to imitate the, or even to read them throughout, I was moved at once to write a song adapted to the music, & "America" is the result. I had no thought of writing a national hymn, and was surprised when it came to be widely used. I gave it to Mr. Mason soon after it was written, & have since learned that he greatly admired it. It was first used publicly at a Sab. School celebration of Independence in Park St. ch. Boston on the 4th of July of 1832. I thank you for the pretty piece of silver ware which came safely to my address. I shd have acknowledged it earlier, but have only just returned from a long absence at the West. Respy yours, S. F. Smith.[Manuscript:] My country, 'tis of thee Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From every mountain side Let freedom ring. My native country, thee, Land of the noble, free, Thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills, My heart with rapture thrills Like that above. Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet freedom's song; Let mortal tongues awake, Let all that breathe partake, Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing; Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light, Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King. S. F. Smith.Samuel F. Smith (1808-1895) was born in Boston and graduated from Harvard College in 1829 and Andover Theologica. (See website for full description).…