Sweet Freedom's Song : "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and Democracy in America

This is a celebration and critical exploration of the complicated musical, cultural and political roles played by the song "America" over the last 250 years.

Popularly known as "My Country 'tis of Thee" - and as "God Save the King/Queen" before that - this song has great political importance.

The text chronicles the song's appropriation and adaption by colonial Americans, Southern slaveowners, abolitionalists, temperance campaigners and civil rights leaders. Because the song has been invoked by nearly every grassroots movement in American history, the story of "America" offers important insights on the story of democracy in the US.