Irving Berlin, a name synonymous with American songwriting, revealed the fascinating origin story of “God Bless America” in a 1954 letter to Abel Green, the editor of Variety. This letter provides a unique insight into the journey of a song that would become a beloved patriotic anthem, explaining its initial conception and its eventual rise to national prominence.
Berlin recounted that he initially penned “God Bless America” in 1918 while stationed at Camp Upton, intending it as the grand finale for the musical revue Yip, Yip, Yaphank. This show, which premiered on August 19th, was a patriotic spectacle designed to boost morale during World War I. The original plan for the finale was deeply evocative. As soldiers in the preceding scene were alerted to their deployment overseas, they would reappear in overseas uniforms, complete with helmets, and march through the theater. This procession was designed to extend beyond the stage, into the street and backstage, culminating in the soldiers boarding a transport vehicle. As the lights dimmed, this wheeled transport was to slowly move offstage, creating a poignant and emotionally charged scene.
Alt text: Irving Berlin in military uniform during World War I, reflecting his service and the context of writing patriotic songs like “God Bless America”.
However, Berlin made a crucial decision regarding the song’s inclusion in this powerful finale. He felt that incorporating “God Bless America” into this already intensely emotional scene might be “painting the lily,” or, in other words, adding unnecessary embellishment. He believed that having soldiers sing “God Bless America” in that specific, already deeply moving context, might dilute its impact. Consequently, the song was shelved. As Berlin recalled, the finale instead featured the soldiers singing “In the Y.M.C.A.” as the curtain descended.
Despite this initial decision, “God Bless America” was never truly forgotten by its composer. Berlin stated that he “always had it in back of my mind to use someday on the right occasion.” This “right occasion” materialized nearly two decades later, in 1938. Berlin had traveled to London for the premiere of the film Alexander’s Ragtime Band. His visit coincided with a particularly tense period in European history, marked by Prime Minister Chamberlain’s meetings with Hitler and the looming shadow of the Munich Pact. Witnessing these events firsthand deeply affected Berlin.
Alt text: Vintage sheet music cover for “God Bless America,” showcasing the song’s title and its association with patriotic American music.
On his return journey to the United States, inspired by the patriotic sentiments stirred by the international climate, Berlin attempted to write a song that captured his feelings. He initially started with a song titled “Thanks America,” but he quickly discarded it. He felt it was “very bad” and likened it to a “bad editorial set to music,” suggesting it was too preachy or overtly political. It was at this point that Berlin remembered “God Bless America.”
Recognizing its potential to express the patriotic feeling he sought, Berlin revisited the shelved song from 1918. Crucially, he didn’t simply dust off the old manuscript; he “rewrote” it. This rewriting process is a key element in the story of “God Bless America.” While the core sentiment and perhaps some melodic elements may have remained from the original 1918 version, the 1938 rendition was a deliberate and significant revision, tailored to the specific context of the late 1930s and the growing sense of American identity in a world heading towards war. This revised version is the “God Bless America” that would soon resonate deeply with the American public, particularly when popularized by Kate Smith, becoming an enduring symbol of American patriotism and one of the most recognized patriotic Songs God Bless America.
