Sample VERSES
MARYLAND
O beautiful for common sense
of what is good and fair,
for comradeship as citizens
that all of us can share.
America! America!
God make us ever one.
For every soul our noble goal
Of Justice must be won!
—Tim, Maryland
MASSACHUSETTS
O beautiful for tears we shed
for children killed in school,
for high school kids who say: Enough!
God, let these students rule.
America! America!
Teach leaders how to cry,
and give them strength to change their views
when kids in classrooms die.
—Therese, Massachusetts
NEW YORK
O beautiful for glacial lakes
For mountain peaks and fjords
For sailing ships upon the sea
And songs with ringing chords
America! America!
A wondrous shining star
But in the end, it’s your ideals
That make you what you are.
—Sid, New York
VIRGINIA
O beautiful for ethics rules,
For conscience clear and plain,
For purity of policy
Above all furtive gain!
America! America!
Let’s shed benighted greed
And play our part with open heart
In sweet transparency
—Bill, Virginia
• • • • •
O beautiful for healthy skies
For non-acidic rain
For polar bears and mountain hares
And prairies pure again!
America! America!
Conserve this holy orb,
And pack the planet full with plants
That CO2 absorb!
—Bill, Virginia
WASHINGTON, D.C.
O beautiful for freedom's press
That serves the common good
Pursuing civic truthfulness
As every patriot should.
America! America!
God save us from Fake News
And public lies we'll all defy
Despite our private views!
—Anonymous, Washington D. C.
• • • • •
O, beautiful for immigrants
Of every race and hue!
From east and west they come to us
To make their lives anew.
America! America!
Keep wide the golden door,
Lest we repeal our brave ideal
And mourn forever more.
—Louisa, Washington D.C.