Boston-born Baptist minister and academic (1808–1895) best known as the lyricist of “America” (“My Country ’Tis of Thee”), written while he was a student at Andover Theological Seminary. Smith’s stirring patriotic song, set to the same melody as the British national anthem (“God Save the Queen”), served as a de facto national anthem for much of the 19th century. Lengthy AQS on two adjacent lightly lined off-white 5 x 8 sheets, signed “By S. F. Smith, D.D.” and dated “This autograph was written June 13, 1893.” Smith pens the text of a poem/essay titled “The Eve of Decoration Day,” which incorporates a number of phrases from “America.” In part: “In the afternoon before Decoration Day, I saw, in the house of a friend, about thirty children and young ladies, seated on the carpet: The house was the home of one of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The young people were gathering many cut flowers into bouquets; and, while they worked, they sang, from time to time, snatches of the National Hymn, ‘My country, ’tis of thee.’ Sweet in the innocence of youth/Born of the brave and free,/They wove fair garlands, while they sang/‘My country, ’tis of thee’;/How every bosom swelled with joy,/And thrilled with grateful pride,/As, fond, the whispering cadence breathed,/‘Land where my fathers died’…. I hailed with promise of the scene,/Gladness as in the strain,/The glorious land is safe, while love/Still swells the fond refrain;/And what shall be our sure defence?/Who guards our liberty?/Not man, not arms, alone, we look,/‘Our father’s God, to Thee.’” Short edge separations at horizontal folds (slightly touching a few words) and a touch of mild handling wear, otherwise fine, clean condition. The writing is dark and distinct throughout. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
