America, the Beautiful

America, the Beautiful


A haunting refrain that stays in my mind,
that keeps coming back again and again.
It raises my spirit and pride, both combined.
A haunting refrain.

This country, this land, that the music’s defined,
that reaches from California to Maine,
shines as a beacon of hope for mankind.

There are those who speak of it with disdain
but it’s promises can’t be confined.
America, the beautiful, from mountains to plains –
a haunting refrain.

An entry for the January round of "HONORING OUR VETERANS " 
Prompt: Open
Form: The Roundel   has eleven lines constructed from two quatrains, and a triplet. The rhyme scheme consists of only two rhymes and a refrain which is made from the first phrase of first line.

Inspired by the song America the Beautiful   The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates, and the music was composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward.