America the Beautiful

Only 12 hours to go. For some reason I'm feeling particularly patriotic these days. Ray Charles did the best version of America the Beautiful, bar none, in my humble opinion. He puts the lyrics in a slightly different order than Sister Mary Oliphant may have in second grade, but it's a great rendition. Joining all of you fellow patriots at noon tomorrow with tissues at the ready.

Tried to figure out how to embed the video, but couldn't. The link will have to suffice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7Wt4XlXUrc&feature=related

America the Beautiful - Ray Charles' version


O beautiful for heroes prov'd

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 ev'ry gain divine.



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!