Grateful To Be American

The title and the lyrics of this majestic rock anthem say it all. Especially at a time of year when we pause to consider the things we are grateful for, our freedoms easily come to mind. This tune is nonetheless very accessible and powerful in any other (besides Thanksgiving) American and/or patriotic venue, such as Veterans Day, The Fourth of July, and so on.

The song can be performed throughout in unison, but there are optional harmonies that begin with the pick-ups into measure 43. Use one or both of them as you wish. Part 3 is written in bass clef for lower, changing, and/or changed voices. To facilitate the learning of these parts, we have isolated them and put them on our web site. (See box following.) You will notice that they are both broken into two sections since the song returns to unison after the first chorus.

To really give this piece that special anthem quality, we recommend adding big claps on beat 3 of every measure in the chorus. Stage them subtly, or have students encourage the audience to join in by clapping over their heads. Or alternate, using the lower claps the first time during the chorus and changing to the higher ones the next time the chorus is sung. For the ending, have singers slowly join hands and raise them up in triumphant unity. Don't forget to adorn your performance area with at least one large American flag.

(Special thanks to the employees of Plank Road Publishing for their enthusiastic participation in the recording of the "big claps." Don't they sound great?)

Online extras - You will find the free, downloadable tracks under the "Graphics and Extras" for Volume 17, No. 2 at MusicK8.com