VOA慢速英语2014 庆祝美国独立日歌曲

 

Celebrating America in Song 庆祝美国独立日歌曲

Welcome to American Mosaic¹ from VOA Learning English.  I’m June Simms. 

Today is America’s Independence Day holiday.  On July 4th, 1776, the 13 American colonies officially declared their independence from Britain.  It took several years of fighting, but the United States won its freedom. 

Americans have observed Independence Day throughout the country’s history.  But it did not become an official holiday until 1870.

On our show today, Mary Tillotson and Steve Ember play some songs that celebrate America.

Americans celebrate the Fourth of July with family gatherings², parades, speeches and fireworks. They also celebrate with patriotic³ music. 

The official song of the United States is "The Star-Spangled Banner." Francis Scott Key wrote the words in 1814.  At that time, America and Britain were at war.  Francis Scott Key watched as British forces attacked Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland.  Through the smoke and fire, he could see a huge American flag flying over the army base.

The next morning, after the battle, he looked to see which flag flew over Fort McHenry.  It would tell which side had won.

Key saw that the American flag still flew. He wrote a poem re-creating the event. Soon after, music was added to his words. The United States Congress made "The Star-Spangled Banner" the national song in 1931.

Americans sing it at the beginning of many public meetings and sports events.  Here is America’s national song, performed by Faith Hill.

Some people say "The Star-Spangled Banner" is difficult to sing. Others do not like the words. Some people have suggested that the United States change its national song. They say many other songs that celebrate America would be better.

One of these is called "America." It is also known as "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Samuel Smith wrote it in 1832. The music is the same as the British national song, "God Save the Queen."  The Southwestern Christian⁴ College Chorus sings “America.”

Some people think "America the Beautiful" is one of the best songs that celebrates America. Katherine Lee Bates wrote the words in 1893. Samuel Ward⁵ wrote the music. Many singers and groups have recorded "America the Beautiful." Ray Charles sings his version.

Many people think "God Bless America" is the best song that celebrates America. Irving Berlin wrote it in 1917.  It became popular twenty years later when Kate Smith sang it on a national radio broadcast.  Listen now to the young voices of the American Boychoir as they perform “God Bless America.”

Other people would like America's national song to be "This Land is Your Land." Woody Guthrie wrote the words in nineteen-forty.  It became one of the most popular folk songs in America.

And that’s American Mosaic for this week.  Your announcers were Mary Tillotson and Steve Ember.  Caty Weaver⁶ was the producer. 

I’m June Simms.  Thanks for stopping by and be sure to return next week for another American Mosaic from VOA Learning English.

We leave you with one more celebratory song.  Kanye West, Jay-Z and Frank Ocean perform, “Made in America.”

1 mosaic   

n./adj.镶嵌细工的，镶嵌工艺品的，嵌花式的

参考例句：

• The sky this morning is a mosaic of blue and white.今天早上的天空是幅蓝白相间的画面。
• The image mosaic is a troublesome work.图象镶嵌是个麻烦的工作。

2 gatherings   

聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集

参考例句：

• His conduct at social gatherings created a lot of comment. 他在社交聚会上的表现引起许多闲话。
• During one of these gatherings a pupil caught stealing. 有一次，其中一名弟子偷窃被抓住。

3 patriotic   

adj.爱国的，有爱国心的

参考例句：

• His speech was full of patriotic sentiments.他的演说充满了爱国之情。
• The old man is a patriotic overseas Chinese.这位老人是一位爱国华侨。

4 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

5 ward   

n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开

参考例句：

• The hospital has a medical ward and a surgical ward.这家医院有内科病房和外科病房。
• During the evening picnic,I'll carry a torch to ward off the bugs.傍晚野餐时，我要点根火把，抵挡蚊虫。

6 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。