America I Gave My Best To You

If you click on the picture of this young singer you will find a beautiful program of patriotic music from the Kennedy Center celebrating the Inauguration of Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris. Rehanna Thelwell's performance of "American Anthem" was the highlight for me. You can find it at 12:30 if time is short. Don't miss this song.  When President Biden quoted from it in his inaugural address tears welled in my eyes as I thought of the work and prayers of my forebears --- for example my own young father leaving his daughters and his beloved wife to spend two years half a world away risking his life to save America from fascists like those incited by the previous president to attack our Capitol only two weeks ago. 

Here's that snippet from President Biden's eloquent address ---

   It’s a story that might sound something like a song that means a lot to me. It’s called “American Anthem” and there is one verse stands out for me:

“The work and prayers
of centuries have brought us to this day
What shall be our legacy?
What will our children say?…
Let me know in my heart
When my days are through
America
America
I gave my best to you.” 

Let us add our own work and prayers to the unfolding story of our nation.  If we do this then when our days are through our children and our children’s children will say of us they gave their best. They did their duty. They healed a broken land....

(from President Joseph Biden's First Inaugural Address) 

I have added the full lyrics below.

All we've been give

By those who came before

The dream of a nation
Where freedom would endure
The work and prayers
Of centuries
Have brought us to this day

What shall be our legacy?
What will our children say?
Let them say of me
I was one who believed
In sharing the blessings
I received
Let me know in my heart
When my days are through
America
America
I gave my best to you

Each generation from the plains
To distant shore with the gifts
What they were given
Were determined
To leave more
Valiant battles fought together
Acts of conscience fought alone
These are the seeds
From which America has grown

Let them say of me
I was one who believed
In sharing the blessings
I received
Let me know in my heart
When my days are through
America
America
I gave my best to you

For those who think
They have nothing to share
Who fear in their hearts
There is no hero there
Know each quiet act
Of dignity is
That which fortifies
The soul of a nation
That never dies

Let them say of me
I was one who believed
In sharing the blessings
I received
Let me know in my heart
When my days are through
America
America
I gave my best to you

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Scheer Gene A

American Anthem lyrics © Gene Scheer D/b/a Gene Ink, Gene Ink