America The Beautiful
Andre Rieu · Radio City Music Hall Live In New York [2009]
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!
O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!
O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!
About America The Beautiful
Andre Rieu's rendition of "America The Beautiful" captures the song's patriotic anthem status through a lush, romantic orchestral arrangement characteristic of his style. Recorded live at Radio City Music Hall in 2009, this performance exemplifies Rieu's ability to blend classical instrumentation with accessible pop sensibilities, transforming the traditional hymn into a sweeping musical experience. The track appears on his compilation *Radio City Music Hall Live In New York*, showcasing his dedication to delivering high-energy performances in iconic venues. While the original composition by Katharine Lee Giddings carries deep historical significance, Rieu's interpretation emphasizes emotional grandeur and melodic richness, making it a staple in his repertoire alongside other beloved standards. This recording reflects his broader approach to reviving American folk and classical pieces for contemporary audiences, ensuring the song's enduring appeal remains vibrant and engaging.