Lost Ladies of Lit
A book podcast hosted by writing partners Amy Helmes and Kim Askew. Guests include biographers, journalists, authors, and cultural historians discussing lost classics by women writers. You can support Lost Ladies of Lit by visiting https://www.patreon.com/c/LostLadiesofLit339.
Lost Ladies of Lit
Penning Patriotism — Katharine Lee Bates and "America the Beautiful"
The recent hatching of baby eaglets in Big Bear, CA has Amy thinking a lot about patriotism and what it actually means in turbulent times for our country. Lost lady of lit Katharine Lee Bates — a staunch activist for social justice who decried America’s isolationist policies — must have considered the same when, during a trip across the country in 1893, she penned what would eventually become the lyrics to “America the Beautiful.” The original words to her poem are a bit more pointed than the version we know today, offering a new perspective on pure (but not blind) patriotism.
Mentioned in this episode:
“America the Beautiful” and changing lyrics over time
“America the Beautiful”: The Stirring True Story Behind our Nation’s Favorite Song by Lynn Sherr
Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893
“America the Beautiful” rendition by Ray Charles
“Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride” by Katharine Lee Bates
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