God Bless America

“God Bless America” is an American patriotic song written by Irving Berlin in 1918 and later sung by Kate Smith (becoming her signature song). “God Bless America” takes the form of a prayer (intro lyrics “as we raise our voices, in a solemn prayer”) for God’s blessing and peace for the nation (“…stand beside her and guide her through the night…”)

The song was a hit; there was even a movement to make “God Bless America” the national anthem of the United States. Woody Guthrie disliked the song, and wrote “This Land Is Your Land”, originally titled “God Blessed America For Me”.