KATHARINE LEE BATES
This is from the famous First Verse and is sung often. However there was a second verse of which few people are aware and is rarely sung. The second verse is thought by some to be critical of America. See {630860}.
See {594200} for the first verse—the one most commonly sung. This second verse, suggests that America is not perfect—a problem for some people in a patriotic song which is usually only general glorification and uncritical praise. This song was considered seriously as our national anthem, and was actually used at the first international Olympics when an American won the event. Our National Anthem had not been officially selected then. One of the reasons for its selection over America, The Beautiful was the line in this verse asking God to mend the American flaws.
Katharine Lee Bates was an American professor and author, chiefly remembered for her anthem "America the Beautiful", but also for her many books and articles on social reform, on which she was a noted speaker.
