America the Beautiful
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When we first thought of possible selections for a post-election “A Reason to Smile,” we had no idea what Tuesday night would bring. We chose what you will see today in that moment, hoping that it would either be a salve for a wounded nation or a reason to celebrate American resilience.
It is our fervent hope that the results of this past week portend an America returning to sanity, steadiness, and optimism. We recognize that the battle for the soul of this nation remains unresolved, as indeed it has for the entirety of our history. But there also is a flame of progress and possibility that cannot be extinguished.
America, for all its faults, is a beautiful place. We can think of few artists and songs better suited for this moment than the incomparable Ray Charles and his rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
With gratitude to all of you in the Steady community, who also grant us a reason to smile.
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America the Beautiful
My mom will tell you that I have loved Ray Charles since I was 2 and sang along to "Hit the Road, Jack," in the car. This rendition of "America the Beautiful" will always bring tears to my eyes. Thanks for reminding me to listen to it.
This sure did make me smile. I saw Ray do this in concert, and the memory ALWAYS makes me smile. Just like our national anthem still chokes me up, these words still give me hope for the old reasons to love my country in the face of our worst threats.