Michael McCarthy

My Country 'Tis of Thee

The origin of the melody My Country 'Tis of Thee is not known but assumed to generate from Europe. The melody is also used for the national anthem of the United Kingdom, God Save the Queen. The text for My Country 'Tis of Thee was written by Samuel Francis Smith and was given its first public performance on July 4th, 1831 at an Independence Day celebration in Boston. It was published a year later under the title America. The SSATB arrangement (1. 3560) was performed at the Capitol for the Inauguration of Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States on 20 January 2017. This SSA version was performed 12 May 2014 at the reopening of the Washington Monument following the earthquakedamage. Required to be an unaccompanied arrangement, it follows a theme and variations structure where the melody is passed throughout the choir. Due to the nature of the event this arrangement is deliberately 'ceremonial' in feel. Duration: 2:15