THIS IS AMERICA - Ooh! Ahh! Sis-Boom-Bah! Music to Go With t

THIS IS AMERICA - Ooh! Ahh! Sis-Boom-Bah! Music to Go With the Fourth of July Fireworks
By Jerilyn Watson

Broadcast: Monday, July 04, 2005

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ANNOUNCER: Welcome to THIS IS AMERICA, in VOA Special English. America's Declaration of Independence from Britain was signed on July fourth, seventeen seventy-six. Today, Mary Tillotson and Steve Ember bring you an Independence Day program of songs that celebrate America.

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VOICE ONE:

 
Francis Scott Key
Americans celebrate the Fourth of July with family gatherings¹, parades, speeches and fireworks. They also celebrate with patriotic² music.The official song of the United States is "The Star-Spangled Banner." Francis Scott Key wrote the words in eighteen-fourteen. 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.

VOICE TWO:

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 nineteen thirty-one.

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

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VOICE ONE:

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.

VOICE TWO:

One of these is called "America." It is also known as "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Samuel Smith wrote it in Eighteen-Thirty-Two. The music is the same as the British national song, "God Save the Queen." The Southwestern Christian³ College Chorus sings "America."

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VOICE ONE:

 
Ray Charles
Some people think "America the Beautiful" is one of the best songs that celebrates America. Katherine Lee Bates wrote the words in eighteen-ninety-three. Samuel Ward⁴ wrote the music. Many singers and groups have recorded "America the Beautiful." Ray Charles sings his version.

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VOICE TWO:

Many people think "God Bless America" is the best song that celebrates America. Irving Berlin wrote it in nineteen-seventeen. 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."

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VOICE ONE:

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. Pete Seeger and the Weavers⁶ sing "This Land is Your Land."

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VOICE TWO:

Years ago, Lee Greenwood recorded a song called "God Bless the U.S.A." This song has gained new meaning and popularity since the terrorist attacks on the United States, September eleventh, two thousand one. Listen as Lee Greenwood sings "God Bless the U.S.A."

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VOICE ONE:

This program was written by Jerilyn Watson. It was produced by Caty Weaver⁵. Our studio engineer was Keith Holmes. I'm Mary Tillotson.

VOICE TWO:

And I'm Steve Ember. Join us again next week for another report about life in the United States on the VOA Special English program THIS IS AMERICA.

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1 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。

2 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。

3 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。

4 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。

5 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。

6 weavers   

织工，编织者( weaver的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Navajo are noted as stockbreeders and skilled weavers, potters, and silversmiths. 纳瓦霍人以豢养家禽，技术熟练的纺织者，制陶者和银匠而著名。
• They made out they were weavers. 他们假装是织布工人。