Oh, beautiful for spacious skies...

          In a world with too little room

                   on this Tuesday morning,

                             death hurtled through the clouds.

...for amber waves of grain...

          While we dwelt in peace and plenty,

                   a hate harvest ripened,

                             an explosion of horror, watched.

...mountain majesty...  fruited plain...

          Dreadful September day

                   when innocence crumbled to ruin

                             and fear took us hostage.

America, America...

          Pilgrims fleeing persecution,

                   patriots overthrowing tyranny

                             stood once where we now stand,

...sheltered by God-shed grace...

          cried "Freedom;" paid the price.

                   More than once the price paid in blood;

                             common man sought uncommon good,

beyond the shining seas

          for brotherhood does not

                   in isolation live.

                             Costly,  too high, too dear—but, still—

America, America...

          We are resolved; tears dim

                   our eyes, not our vision.

                             Still, alabaster cities gleam.