I love watching the Olympics, and when the various national anthems are played for the gold medalists, it always makes me realize just how magnificent our national anthem is. For one thing, those are some damn fine lyrics! For another thing, how cool is it that the music is an old British drinking song celebrating women, wine, and entertaining?! (Considering how difficult it is to actually sing the tune, perhaps drunkenness is more of a vocal help than a hindrance.)

Other patriotic songs of America are really great, too. America by Neil Diamond is probably one of my personal favorites (it’s on my iTunes!), although the traditional America the Beautiful and America (My Country, ‘Tis of Thee) are both amazingly moving. For a more martial mood, however, The Stars and Stripes Forever can’t be beat. (Although it does tend to make me think of calisthenics, as my mother used to work out to it. And hey, it does have a great tempo for leg-lifts!)

America’s patriotic music ranges from simply lovely to positively raucous — just like her citizens! *grin*

(Be sure to check out the rest of the Patriotic Journeyers… JimK, Scott, Larry, Drumwaster, and Doug. Ooh, looks like I’m the only girl! *really big grin*)