Samuel Francis Smith (1808–1895) was born in Boston only a few short years before the start of the War of 1812. He lived during America’s most formative and destructive years, witnessing the nation’s westward expansion, its near collapse with the Civil War, and the age of innovation known as the Gilded Age. While the country maneuvered through its many trials and triumphs, Smith proved a man of unwavering character.
He grew up with an affinity for scripture, music, and writing. His educational opportunities helped pave the way for his mastery in all three. He attended the prestigious Boston Latin School from 1820–1825. The school, which was founded in 1635, is the oldest school in America. From there, he attended Harvard College.
He graduated from Harvard in 1829 with a class that included the famous poet, Oliver Wendell Holmes. The man’s son, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., became one of the most famous Supreme Court justices. Holmes Sr. and Smith retained a strong friendship throughout their lives.
A European Inspiration
Sources vary on his exact inspiration for the song. Some suggest that his inspiration came when he was studying theology in Germany and witnessed how schoolchildren sang a hymn at the start of each school day. He wished that schoolchildren in America would do the same so he began tinkering with the idea of writing a daily school hymn.Back in America, his friend Lowell Mason, a local music teacher and composer, lent him German songbooks. Smith came across “Heil dir im Siegerkranz,” which had a tune he preferred, and he began writing lyrics that matched the tune.
Apparently, Smith didn’t know that this tune was famous in Europe, and had already been adopted in America with varying lyrics. “Heil dir im Siegerkranz” was the imperial anthem for the German Empire and is translated as “Hail to Thee in the Victor’s Crown.” But the tune’s origin was England, not Germany. It is uncertain when the music was first composed, but it was first performed in 1745 for Prince Charles Edward Stuart after he defeated King George II. The song is titled “God Save the King” and had become Britain’s unofficial national anthem around the time of Smith’s birth.
After America won her independence from Great Britain, Americans sang “God Save the King,” but under various titles, like “God Save America,” “God Save the Thirteen States,” “God Save the President,” and “God Save George Washington.”
When Smith completed writing his lyrics, he forgot them for a while. A few weeks later, he came across them again and decided to send them to Mason. The song was first performed in Boston on July 4, 1832—shortly after Smith graduated from Andover. The song’s title was “America: My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.”
Remembered Among Friends
“America” was one of approximately 150 hymns that Smith wrote. His career in the Christian ministry began in 1834 when he became pastor of a Baptist church in Waterville, Maine. For the next eight years, he pastored in Waterville and in Newton, Massachusetts, until becoming a professor of modern languages at Waterville College (now known as Colby University) in 1842.He remained at Waterville College until 1854, the same year he received his doctorate of divinity from the same school. During his professorship, he was also the editor of The Christian Review from 1842 to 1848. Smith was the editor of various religious publications in his lifetime, and also contributed to the “Encyclopedia Americana.”
HAS there any old fellow got mixed with the boys? If there has, take him out, without making a noise. Hang the Almanac’s cheat and the Catalogue’s spite! Old Time is a liar! We’re twenty to-night!”
Holmes singled out some of his classmates, including Smith, of whom he wrote:And there’s a nice youngster of excellent pith,-- Fate tried to conceal him by naming him Smith; But he shouted a song for the brave and the free, Just read on his medal, ‘My country,’ ‘of thee!’”
An Unofficial National Anthem
Of course, Smith was, like all of his classmates, no longer a “youngster.” But his country was still young, still decades from clearing its first century. Less than two years after the joyous class reunion, America was tried as never before with the eruption of the Civil War. During this time of severe and bloody internal strife, Americans held onto the words Smith had penned 30 years prior.Concerning the use of his song during the worst years of the American republic, he said, “I am happy to have been the means through them of adding a momentary joy to a festive, or light to a gloomy hour.”
My country, ’tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the Pilgrims’ Pride, From every mountain side Let freedom ring.
A Life and Song Honored
As Smith neared the end of his life, he and his song were honored on his 80th birthday. Part of that celebration was again articulated by Holmes, who wrote:Full many a poet’s labored lines A century’s creeping waves shall hide— The verse a people’s love enshrines Stands like a rock that breasts the tide.
Time wrecks the proudest piles we raise, The towers, the domes, the temples fall. The fortress crumbles and decays— One breath of song outlasts them all.”
Seven years after his birthday celebration, Smith, still a minister, died at a Boston railroad station. He was on his way to preach a sermon.
Smith’s influence on the country was extensive thanks to his years of ministry and his numerous published writings, which included “Lyric Gems” (1843), “The Psalmist” (1843), “Life of Reverend Joseph Grafton” (1848), “Rock of Ages” (1866), “Missionary Sketches” (1879), “History of Newton, Massachusetts” (1880), and “Rambles in Mission-Fields” (1884). One of his poems, “The Lone Star,” is said to have saved the Telugu mission at Nellore, India, and inspired it to become one of the most successful missions in India.
‘My Country, ’Tis of Thee’
For those who have never read all of the words of Smith’s famous song “America,” the following are the lyrics in full:My country, ’tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the Pilgrims’ Pride, From every mountain side Let freedom ring.
My native country, thee, Land of the noble, free, Thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills, My heart with rapture thrills, Like that above.
Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet freedom’s song; Let mortal tongues awake, Let all that breathe partake, Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong.
Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing; Long may our land be bright, With freedom’s holy light, Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King.
