 American patriotic music has served to encourage feelings of honor for the country's forefathers, national unity the joy of freedom. Much of American patriotic music owes its origins to main wars and events— the American Revolution, American Indian Wars, War of 1812, Mexican-American War, Civil War, Spanish American War, World Wars, Vietnam War, Gulf War and September 11th, 2001.
The Liberty Song
"The Liberty Song", written by John Dickinson in 1768 is perhaps the first patriotic song written in America. The song contains the line "by uniting we stand, by dividing we fall". It is the first recorded use of the sentiment.
National Anthem - The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written by American lawyer Francis Scott Key on September 14, 1814, after he witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the large U.S. flag, with 15 stars and 15 stripes, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort after the battle.
"The Star-Spangled Banner" was first recognized for official use by the United States Navy in 1889. On March 3, 1931, the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution (46 Stat. 1508) making the song the official national anthem of the United States, which President Herbert Hoover signed into law.
O Say, can you see
By the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed
At the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars
Through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched
Were so gallantly, yeah, streaming?
And the rockets' red glare
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Civil War
During the American Civil War, both the North and the South generated a number of songs to stir up patriotic sentiments such as "Battle Hymn of the Republic", and "Dixie".
World War I and World War II
World War I produced patriotic American songs such as "Over There" in 1917 and "God Bless America" in 1918. In 1940, Woody Guthrie wrote "This Land Is Your Land" in response to his dislike of "God Bless America". World War II era produced a significant number of patriotic songs in the Big Band and Swing format.
Last 50 Years
Patriotic songs in latter half of the 20th century included "Ballad of the Green Berets" during the Vietnam War and "God Bless the USA" during the Gulf War. More patriotic songs followed September 11th, 2011. Where Were You, American Soldier and Courtesy of the Red White and Blue all give powerful messages.
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