“These are not ordinary song titles. They have a certain bite to them. And I guess that would be something I would be proud of.” »read more
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Irving Berlin wrote this in 1918 for the musical Yip, Yip, Yaphank. After writing it, Berlin felt it didn't fit the tone of the musical, which was a comedy, and decided not to use it. In 1938, with war looming in Europe, Berlin updated the lyrics for the purpose of writing a "peace" song.
Smith introduced this on her radio show on Armistice Day in 1938 (November 11). It was an immediate hit.
Berlin donated the royalties from this, which were considerble, to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America. He established the God Bless America Fund for this purpose.
Berlin was not born in America. His family immigrated from Siberia when he was 5.
A few years later, Woody Guthrie wrote "This Land Is Your Land" as a parody of this song.
More songs written by Irving Berlin
Comments:
In and around 1973 the Philadelphia Flyers (then known as the "Broad Street Bullies") "adopted" Kate as their's and she sang the song at games. The Flyers won the Stanley Cup in years 1974 and in 1975. Thanks Kate, we still miss you.
- Celeste, Drexel Hill, PA