a clergyman of Boston, was the
author of "America," the song which is usually
regarded as the national anthem of the United States.
He himself said of it, "The song was written at
Andover during my student life there, I think in the
winter of 1831-32. It was first used publicly at a
Sunday-school celebration on July 4th, in the Park
Street Church, Boston. I had in my possession a
quantity of German song-books, from which I was
selecting such music as pleased me, and finding 'God
Save the King,' I proceeded to give it the ring of
American patriotism." Both the English anthem "God
Save the King," and the American "My Country, 'tis of
Thee," owe the air to which they are sung to Germany.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, who was a classmate at Harvard
of the author of "America," referred to him aptly in
one of the poems he wrote for a class reunion. Said
Holmes:
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by Samuel Francis Smith