0
It is from the fourth verse of "America, the Beautiful"
Music by Samuel Ward, 1882
Words by Katharine Lee Bates, 1895
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good
With brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
It was first published as a poem in 1895 in "The Congregationalist". The melody was added later. The Ward version of the melody - the one we know today - was already popular around 1910. There were other melodies written for it. Bates amended the lyrics after publication in both 1904 and 1913.
It was on an 1893 train trip from Massachusetts to teach a summer session at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that Bates visited the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the "White City", with its promise of the future contained within its alabaster buildings. This inspired the line, "Thine alabaster cities gleam ...".
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What does Thine alabaster cities gleam mean?
Alabster is a rock often used in building fascdes because it is so even and white. A city of gleaming alabaster means a white (pure) city So a translation would be :"Your white cities shine"
If an item is described as alabaster ivory is it actually ivory?
No, it's made of alabaster stone.
What are the lyrics to o' beautiful?
O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for pilgrim feet Whose stern impassioned stress A thoroughfare of freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law! O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife. Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine! O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for halcyon skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the enameled plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till souls wax fair as earth and air And music-hearted sea! O beautiful for pilgrims feet, Whose stem impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought By pilgrim foot and knee! O beautiful for glory-tale Of liberating strife When once and twice, for man's avail Men lavished precious life! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till selfish gain no longer stain The banner of the free! O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till nobler men keep once again Thy whiter jubilee!
What does the word thine mean out of the song your father in heaven?
"Thine" is a formal word meaning "yours". It is often used in scripture and hymns, especially when referring to deity, because it is more respectful. Some faith traditions believe that formal terms such as Thine, Thou and Thee should always be used in prayer out of respect for God.
What is the lyrics and music for this song not my will but thine be done?
"Not My Will" composed by Arthur Smith (1957). Sheet music is in the library at Indiana University.
What has the author Lawrence R Velvel written?
Lawrence R. Velvel has written: 'Blogs From the Liberal Standpoint' 'Trail of Tears : Thine Alabaster Cities Gleam: A Story of the Last Half of the Twentieth Century' 'Misfits in America: Thine Alabaster Cities Gleam'
What does Thine alabaster cities gleam mean?
Alabster is a rock often used in building fascdes because it is so even and white. A city of gleaming alabaster means a white (pure) city So a translation would be :"Your white cities shine"
In the song America the Beautiful what does thine alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears mean?
True, alabaster is marble-white. But the significance of "alabaster" and "tears" are clear in a biblical perspective, since this song is a Christian hymn to a certain extent. The references are in the synoptic gospels, especially in Luke 7:37-38, where "alabaster" is used in v. 37 and "tears" in v. 38. Alabaster, I think, alludes to the precious sacrifice that a woman, i.e., America, can afford and offer, while the "tears" that bring about these sacrifices, i.e., alabaster cities, are not to (or cannot) dim the gleaming effect of them.
How do you glue alabaster to alabaster?
Epoxy will glue alabaster to alabaster.
What is the for a translucent stone used in floor slabs?
Alabaster. :D
What is an alabaster box?
An alabaster box is a box made of alabaster (a mineral). To find out more about alabaster, please see this site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabaster
What is a sentence for gleam?
Stars gleam in the sky Diamonds gleam in the light.
Where did the alabaster nudibranch get its name?
An alabaster nudibranch gets its name from the color which resembles alabaster marble.
Can you give an example of a sentence with gleam?
There was a gleam in his eye.
What is Tagalog of gleam?
Tagalog Translation of GLEAM: sinag
Where is the Alabaster - Albert L. Scott Library in Alabaster located?
The address of the Alabaster - Albert L. Scott Library is: 100 9Th Street N.W., Alabaster, 35007 9172
Which syllable of alabaster is accented?
The first syllable of alabaster is emphasized.
