phil, no one is singing that song in another language and you know it

We sent Pepsi to the USSR, and they sent us Stolicnaya vodka. It was a marketing deal. And it worked where no one would have thought it would have worked.

Nixon was trying to broker a way out of a war we were way too deep into, and in return for China's help, they got Pepsi (and Mao got his Salem CIgarettes). Part of the reason I was a Coke drinker... and (I'm sure) never liked menthols. ;-)

I did not know your loathing of Holmes. I am no fan either. His verse was not adopted. and it doesn't flow well when I read it, and it's convoluted. What would you do if Lindsey Stirling said she'd like ATB as the national anthem?
I'm not big on national anthems.we went a long time without needing one.

It seems like the rythm and rhyming is different, as it almost has to be.

I can appreciate the argument that it was sung by all the different people who came to America because of the opportunity and beauty to be had here. However, the whole point of becoming a citizen and learning English is so that we can all converse together and be able to understand each other, as those in "one nation" should. The point of learning English was/is to PREVENT discrimination. Nothing wrong with retaining your original language, after all it is your family's history. My dad was several generations down from German ancestors but knew "O Tannenbaum" the german version of O Christmas Tree. Basically I think this has been blown up bigger than needed, but I do think it's a mis-step on Cokes part.. That's an American song that should be song in the language chosen by America, English.

It 's true. Theres some collectivism in there - one line in particular Objectivists should take huge issue with (no not the God part) but its romantic and where some of it is off base, the testiment to Chicago being built by free men not through slavery is poignant. That America went until 1931 without a national anthem is testiment to her cohesive strength in liberty. I read that oliver wendell holmes added a verse at the start of the civil war to TSSB. I know you 've lost interest but I 'm enjoying this modern conversation.

Ironically the pilgrims were drawn here for religious freedom and then screwed that up with their own doctrines.

Perhaps in your own post. I do not want it replacing our natl anthem. It 's a lovely song though and it 's about living in freedom on this continent - not just about the natural beauty of our country. My point is no one is singing either song in chinese or french or russian. My french mother in law sings them in english.

Quit yelling.
"A thoroughfare
for freedom beat "
Go read the poem which, incidentally Bates submitted for publishing in a special July 4 The Congregationalist.
"Thine alabaster cities gleam
undimmed by human tears..."
Sit down son

Excellent comment. I learned something and read something pleasurable

One of the defining characteristics of the NSP was the use of force. My major point was no one is likely singing the song in another langauge. So what was Coke 's point?

The lyrics aren 't babble.