Warning: This thread has the potential to generate discussion which might render it rubber-room material, though that is not my intention. Mods, feel free to move if you deem appropriate.
So, I was watching the All-star game last night (Baseball, for those of you who live under a rock, or not in the States, or simply don’t care), and I confess: I’m getting sick of “God Bless America”. Now before you flag-waiving Merkins start bashing me for being unpatriotic, let me add: I’m one of the most patriotic people I know. I still get choked up at most (definitely not all) renditions of the “Star Spangled Banner”, and “America the Beautiful” always gets me. But I’m sick and tired of GBA being treated as a “backup” National Anthem.
During the ballgame last night (as at all MLB games, I think), someone came out and lip-synced (a different rant for another time) GBA, prefaced by the announcer asking those in attendance to stand a remove their hats. To what does that song owe that sort of respect? I stand for the National Anthem, remove my hat, and place my hand over my heart, or, if I am in my Militia unform, I stand at strict attention. But “God Bless America”? Please.
Somehow in Post 9/11 America, This schmaltzy song has garnered almost the same status as the real National Anthem, and it does not deserve it. I’m no atheist, and I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s just not the National Anthem. Period.
I’m unpatriotic, but that song can still stir emotions in me. The best version I have ever heard is by a Canadienne, Céline Dion. I’m sure it’s on YouTube if you want to hear it.
“God bless America” along with “Hail, Columbia” has historically been used as a national anthem until “The Star-Spangled Banner” became the official one in 1931.
I think that you could make an argument that it does have some historical justification outside of it’s modern use in jingoism. Of course the salute that was used was a bit different at the time…
Anyone from the greater Philadelphia area know full well that the definitive “God Bless America”, in fact the only version even worth listening to, is by the late, great Kate Smith.
For the All Star game at the last year of Yankee Stadium it was the obvious and only choice. After 9/11, the first game at the Stadium, it was adopted as the 7th inning stretch song, with a NYPD officer doing the singing. Some other teams also have it in their park, though many still only sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
Considering the historical context of this last All-Star game in what many consider the cathedral of what used to be the national past time, God Bless America was the only thing that could have been sung.
Did anyone else get chills seeing some of the oldtimers such as Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Yogi Berra? Baseball remains a timeless game, though it has been sullied with big money, drug scandals and the like. Still, for those with a memory and historical context, there is no game like it, and no stadium approaches the history of the house that Ruth built.
I also object to the bandwagonizing of GBA, as it is like flag waving - it shows one thing while quite another is being done in the background… a cheerleader’s dream can be the downtrodden’s nighmare.
If you really love your country, don’t just shout about perfect it is, work a bit to keep it honest.
I’m rather fond of this one. “America”, by Roy Zimmerman.
Actually, I completely accept that it may be appropriate to have the song “performed” (if you consider lip-syncing a performance - I s’pose it’s a skill all its own); my objection is that the song has been raised to the level of a de facto National Anthem, and I am expected to render it the same respect, and if I refuse, for whatever reason, I am probably seen as unpatriotic.
And I do agree with your point regarding the BB greats of the past, and the honor with which they played the game, and I do think there are some (though not many) today who honor that tradition; though my choice of “cathedral” is older, and closer to home for me: Fenway Park.
