An American Treasure: Samuel Francis Smith writes out and signs off on his lyrical masterpiece, "America"!In February of 1832, Samuel Francis Smith, a 23 year theological student in his last year of seminary at Andover, came upon an inspiration. Noting that German school children recite a national hymn everyday he decided to compose one for students of this country as well. Within thirty minutes his new poem, titled "America", was born. It would later be set to music, borrowing a familiar international melody which was most notably used in Britain's anthem "God Save the King". The musical piece was first performed on July 4, 1832 and immediately became one of this country's most memorable and beloved patriotic songs.
We are proud to present in the special lot an approximately 5" x 8" lightly-lined off-white sheet, signed at the bottom, “S. F. Smith, 1832, March 29, 1887.” Smith pens all four stanzas of ‘America,’ in full:
“My country ‘tis of thee/Sweet land of liberty/Of thee I sing/Land where my fathers died/Land of the pilgrim’s 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,”
Signed at the bottom, indicating both the date the song was originally written (1832) and the date in which this particular item was handwritten & signed (1887). The sheet exhibits moderate toning but remains in overall very good condition. Smith's script is flourishing and impeccable! Still as moving and pertinent today as it was in 1832, these beautifully penned words are exceedingly rare and highly-desirable. Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services (BAS).