In the summer of 1893 Katharine Lee Bates, as you probably already know, was teaching an English course in Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is how she remembers her inspiration as she wrote the first draft of "America the Beautiful."
"One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to l4,000 foot Pike's Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired.
But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there with the sea-like expanse."
Our church choir will be singing "America the Beautiful" tomorrow morning. I particularly love these lines so appropriate for today's America. "God mend thine every flaw. Confirm thy soul with self control." The entire four stanzas are so beautiful...but then you know that, huh?
She went back to Massachusetts in the fall and continued teaching. She died in 1929,. I am not sure if she ever saw that sight again...but she surely remembered it well.
Just sayin'.
with love, annie in memphis
who has been to Pike's Peak
but could never write anything much..
.but I appreciate the fact Katharine Lee Bates did!!
By the way....She was 34 years old, when she wrote that first draft.
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