Learning the Words

A Dallas Morning News editorial has a quiz for you:

What So Proudly We ... Huh? Learn the lyrics and pronounce your patriotism 11:21 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 Mumbling and humming. Faking it. Falling into embarrassed silence. That's how many of us will get through sing-alongs today when we hear the nation's most patriotic music. Admit it. Some of us don't know the words to our nation's hymns, ballads and anthems. We've mocked recording stars when they've blown the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the big game. But from sea to shining sea, they're far from alone. Being the nation's birthday and all, it's time to redouble our efforts to all sing in one voice. Let's start by testing our lyrical literacy on music that will waft from radios and bandshells 1. In "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," what two lines start with "land"? 2. Which of these phrases is actually in "The Star-Spangled Banner"? A) By the dawn's early night B) O say can you sing C) The twilight's last gleaming D) Home of the free 3. Sing with us: "You're a grand old flag, you're a high-flying flag ..." [Then what?] 4. Of course, we ask God to "shed his grace on thee" in "America the Beautiful." But what else do we ask him to do? 5. What's the first line to "God Bless America"? The answers are below. If you got them all right, you are a George Washington, first among patriots, a national treasure. If you missed one, you're a John Adams, a great man, yes, but also the first president to lose a bid for re-election. If you missed two or three, you're a Millard Fillmore. Certainly you're a patriot, but a forgettable one. If you missed four or five, you're a Roseanne Barr. C'mon! Learn the lyrics. Before heading out to see the fireworks tonight, do some online studying at DallasNews.com/Extra. 1. "Land where my fathers died" and "Land of the pilgrim's pride." 2. C) "The twilight's last gleaming" 3. "And forever in peace may you wave." 4. "Crown thy good with brotherhood / From shea to shining sea!" 5. "While the storm clouds gather far across the sea." OK, that's a trick question. Traditionally, we start with the second verse: "God Bless America ..."

Lyrics "shea"?? What's that?