My Country 'Tis for Thee
written November 16, 2025 | updated November 17, 2025
In April, I started a rewrite of this poem. I don't remember precisely what prompted it to be fully honest.
Today, in a week of ICE intimidating our city, I saw this poem half-finished in my old notes app. I spent all evening finishing it.
Perhaps I will sing it someday. For now, please enjoy.
My Country 'Tis for Thee by Zander Weather
My country, 'tis for thee, Soured still by slavery, For thee I grieve: Land where my fathers pried Bounty from native tribe, Dressed in manifest lie; This song still rings.
My native country, thee, Land of relentless fee, Thy barons I fund; I love thy apps and ease, Thy dear monopolies; On wide disparities Rich grow rotund.
No more do tyrants here Fear threat when they appear With soiled hands! Freely nep'tism treads, Mocking the patriot dead; Blood of integr'ty shed By despot mand.
Let music tame the breeze, Soothe swelt'ring fewer trees In freedom's smog: Let mortal brains awake (Do not our breath forsake), Strangles on science break; Our Earth prolong.
Our fathers' God, to Thee, Arbiter of liberty To Thee we plead: Yet may our land be bright Burned up by holy light? Protect us from Thy smite. Great God, our need.
My Country 'Tis of Thee by Samuel Francis Smith
My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing: Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From every mountainside Let freedom ring!
My native country, thee, Land of the noble free, Thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills; My heart with rapture thrills Like that above.
No more shall tyrants here With haughty steps appear, And soldier-bands; No more shall tyrants tread Above the patriot dead – No more our blood be shed By alien hands.
Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet freedom's song: Let mortal tongues awake, Let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong.
Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing; Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our king.