America the Beautiful seemed like the perfect hymn for July as we celebrate Independence day and thank God for our blessings. This song was written by Katherine Lee Bates, a teacher and college professor. She wrote the hymn in the summer of 1893 after having hiked to the top of Pike’s Peak.
The view and resulting conversations inspired this now beloved hymn of thanks. In her own words Bates said, “One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000-foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse.”
*Some of the links in my posts may be affiliate links see below for more information. *
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.
As we study and learn about this hymn this month, we plan to spend some time talking about all of the blessings that we see around us. From the fields of food growing along our roads, the beautiful river that runs through our town providing beauty, enjoyment, and food, and all of the other beautiful things that God has provided us.
In addition to our regular hymn study activities, I thought it would be a lot of fun to take a virtual tour of Pike’s Peak, the place that inspired this beautiful hymn. Due to the current pandemic situation, you can take a tour of the peak as well as some other virtual activities here:Pike’s Peak Virtual Tour.
If you would like to add some art to your study this month, Nana has this wonderful chalk pastel painting of “the purple mountain majesties and the amber waves of grain”. this painting is absolutely beautiful, but also simple enough for even younger children to participate. As always, her hymn studies are included in the You Are An Artist Clubhouse Membership.
I pray you enjoy time with your children studying this hymn this month. As we celebrate our nation’s independence, I hope we always remember to give thanks to God for all of our blessings.
Hymn Study Resources:
America the Beautiful (Story and Lyrics)
America the Beautiful (Ray Charles)
America the Beautiful (U.S. Navy Band)
America the Beautiful (Willie Nelson and More with tribute to 9/11)
America the Beautiful (Cedarmont Kids)
Download Your Freebies Below!
Hymn Study Fact Sheet
America the Beautiful copywork
Resource Library and Affiliate Disclosure
When you sign up for the Schoolin’ Swag free resource library you will get a link and password to the library, we are adding to the library each month with new items. You will also get a bi-weekly newsletter email to keep you up to date on what we have going on.
This post may contain affiliate or referral links, including Amazon affiliate links. As always I will never recommend a product that I don’t believe in and you will never be charged more for purchasing through our links. It does help pay for the costs associated with the blog.
Deals and Freebies
If you have not tried SchoolhouseTeachers.com, you don’t want to miss this sale!
If you are looking for a fun way to encourage reading this summer, check out the FREE summer reading materials from Your Morning Basket with Pam Barnhill. The passport and reading bucket list are a great way to encourage reading!
Homeschool Complete is offering a special 10% off discount to my readers! Just use code: SWAG
Evan-Moor is offering their Daily Fundamentals book FREE right now to help out during this time.
Get a FREE Literature Kit from LitWits using Code 11READ4FUN. We are currently enjoying the Heidi kit but have also previously loved the My Side of the Mountain kit.
IEW is offering some great free resources right now.
FREE Baby Yoda Art Lesson from Nana!
Illustrated Would You Rather Book (Free on Kindle)
The Schoolin' Swag Blog 
2 thoughts on “Hymn Study: America the Beautiful”