Patriotism :: October 14th, 2002 ::
For over a year, we’ve seen a lot of references to “God Bless America,” whether it be in the form of song, bumper sticker slogan, or handmade sign. For just about as long, I’ve had a problem with “God Bless America,” mostly because while it is easy for people to say it, no one seems to be able to say why God should in fact bless America (at least not in a way that goes beyond bland political platitudes). I’m happy to report, however, that others had trouble with that song and its sentiment, soon after it made itself known in the American consciousness.
From Woody Guthrie: A Life:
Worse than the weather, though, was the fact that “God Bless America,” Irving Berlins patriotic pop tune, seeemed to be everywhere that winter. [Woody Guthrie] heard it in Pampa, in Konawa, on car radios, in diners, and it seemed that every time he stopped in a roadhouse for a shot of warm-up whiskey some maudlin joker would plunk a nickle in a jukebox and play it just for spite. No piece of music had bothered him so much since “This World Is Not My Home,” although Bing Crosby’s narcotic, lay-down-and-die version of “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams, and Dream Your Troubles Away” had come close. “God Bless America,” indeed — it was just another of those songs that told people not to worry, that God was in the driver’s seat. Some sort of response obviously was called for and, as he hitched north and east through Appalachia’s foggy ghostlands, a string of words began to take shape in Woody’s mind.
That response eventually became “This Land Was Made for You & Me,” written in Hanover House in New York City. I recommend singing a few lines of it next time you find “God Bless America” is getting to you.
