VOA慢速英语 Ooh! Ah! Sis-Boom-Bah! Music to Go with Fourth of July Fireworks

 

Ooh! Ah! Sis-Boom-Bah! Music to Go with Fourth of July Fireworks

 

Welcome to This Is America, with VOA Learning English.

America's Declaration of Independence from Britain was signed on July 4, 1776. Today, Mary Tillotson and Steve Ember bring you an Independence Day program of songs that celebrate America.

Americans celebrate the Fourth of July with family gatherings¹, parades, speeches and fireworks. They also celebrate with 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 Christian² 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 Ward³ 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 1940.  It became one of the most popular folk songs in America.

Pete Seeger and the Weavers⁴ sing "This Land Is Your Land."

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 11, 2001. Listen as Lee Greenwood sings “God Bless the U.S.A.”

 

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 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。

3 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。

4 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。