Current Patriotic Favorite

I love being an American! I love my country and I am proud of my heritage.

America doesn't love God like they used to, but I do! I also believe that living outside the US gives me a greater appreciation for what we have.

I love patriotic songs. I love to sing the Battle Hymn and Yankee Doodle. I thrill to see Old Glory flying high (those are also song lyrics!)

Anyway, my current patriotic favorite is God of our Fathers. I've heard several arrangements, my favorite being the Marshall Family's, of course. Here it is!

God of our fathers, Whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast,
Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay,
Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way. (this is my favorite phrase)

From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine

Happy Birthday, USA