Woody Guthrie’s song and God blessing America

Nate and I raised 4 boys, which taught us a great deal about explosives. As far as they were concerned, any activity that began with fire was something good. Before they entered kindergarten they all knew how to strike a match without burning their fingers, and I remember getting into trouble with a neighbor mom when Klaus taught her 3 year old how to do it, too.

So here we are on the 4^th of July. Booms, blasts, and bangs abound as happy celebrations mark Independence Day. Explosions are the American way of commemorating our country’s birthday, especially when the pyrotechnics spell out, “Let freedom ring!”

The spectacular displays in the night sky are reminiscent of these famous words: “The rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”

We have a unique history during which wars were fought to secure the freedom of individuals, and those of us blessed to be born/raised here, really appreciate this gift. The fact that so many from other nations want to live in the USA is a testimony to the value of personal freedom.

Google got in the spirit of this day, too, posting a home page with this logo:

Their statement, “This land was made for you and me,” is a line from a song written by Woodie Guthrie in 1940, and the reason he wrote it might surprise you. It was his critical response to the hymn, “God Bless America,” which is a prayer. He was tired of hearing that one and said it was unrealistic and complacent. Originally he titled his replacement song, “God Bless America for Me.”

This morning when I saw Google’s quote, I looked up the song’s history, learning that the real reason Mr. Guthrie didn’t like “God Bless America” was his disinterest in God. If we don’t like someone, we don’t particularly want their blessing.

Why would God ever want to bless America anyway? The only realistic answer is that our founders craved his favor and were willing to establish the country on scriptural principles to win it. I’m fairly sure asking God to bless America “for me” is a step away from that.

But Woody Guthrie needn’t have worried. Our national anthem is neither “God Bless America” nor “This land is your land.” It’s “The Star Spangled Banner,” which isn’t even considered a hymn. But despite usually singing just the first verse, if we read all the words, it turns out to be a hymn after all:

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”