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Progymnasmata

O' Patriotic Me!

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by
The Comedian
, 07-14-2011 at 12:45 PM (1620 Views)
I spent the 4th of July on the shore of the great Gitche Gumee with family, friends, fireworks, a cold north wind, cheap American beer, new kayaks, a pan of room-temperature lasagne, plenty of bug spray, and a copy of Leaves of Grass.

We lit fireworks from the beach, drank too much, and talked loud. Got me feelin' the love for Americ-y. So I thought about the best patriotic songs of all time and I came up with a "best-of" list of 'em.

NOTE: This list is definitive and NOT just some guy's "opinion". It's my opinion and, therefore, universal and true. So spare the politics and share the love, O' patriotic love!

#3: You want somethin' sung right? Then give the tune to Ray. America the Beautiful .

#2 This Land is Your Land -- amazing song by Woody Guthrie about the best and worst of America. And anyone who sings truly can't whistle past the drunk behind the courthouse, so to speak. While Woody's version is good, I prefer Springsteen's. (Springsteen's lead "talk" is amazing too).

#1 It's terrible way too often -- glossy-brained nitwits singing to shallow-souled slobs. It's almost like we try to turn the sublime in to kitsch. But when you have a simple & unadorned three-part harmony singing The Star-Spangled Banner it makes a grown American man cry.

Sometimes.

Updated 11-06-2011 at 12:23 AM by The Comedian

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  1. 1n50mn14's Avatar
    THAT is the way to do it! Sounds like a great 4th of July. P.s.- I'm not even American, but I play the piano, and a heart-felt rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner can make ME feel emotional.
  2. Buh4Bee's Avatar
    Cheers to that.
  3. Virgil's Avatar
    Those are great songs. Ray Charles is fabulous in that one. You know, I don't hear "This Land is Your Land" very often. I remember hearing much more often when I was young. And the "Star Spangled Banner" is great no matter who sings it.

    I would add "God Bless America" to that list, and probably - not probably definitely - my favorite patriotic tune is "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." The lyrics aren't as heart inspiring as some of the others, but the melody in that upper octave blows me away. Here's an instrumental version:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXjf-a8fdc8

    and here's a good version with lyrics:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8oF6...eature=related
  4. qimissung's Avatar
    I'm glad you made the Star-Spangled Banner number one. This is a sweet, sweet version of the song-good choice, Comedian. I am very fond of the Dixie chicks. I'm so sick of people saying we should change our anthem to America the Beautiful, which I used to like when we sang it in school.

    I still like John Phillips Sousa's music:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOCxegQupMU
    Updated 07-16-2011 at 01:55 AM by qimissung
  5. skib's Avatar
    Could we also get the list of the top three best cheap American beers to go along with those song? Nothing like a good old ice cold PBR to go along with classic Amr'can tunes.
    Side note- I remember in high school, the people that were requested to sing the Star Spangled Banner were a few members of the top choir- A three to five part harmony by them was enough to get most everyone to tear up a bit.