John wayne america the beautiful
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America, Why I Love Her
1973 spoken word album by John Wayne
America, Why I Love Her is an album of poetry recited by John Wayne. It was released on the RCA Victor label (LSP-4828) on March 1, 1973. It consists of patriotic poems written by actor John Mitchum, the brother of Robert Mitchum.
Concept
[edit]The idea for the album came about when actor Forrest Tucker heard John Mitchum recite his poem "Why Are You Marching, Son?". Tucker and Mitchum were on location with Wayne, shooting the 1970 Western film Chisum. Tucker asked him to read it for Wayne, and halfway through the reading, Wayne had tears in his eyes.[1] Wayne reportedly told Mitchum, "I've never recorded anything in my life, but I'm going to record an album of your poetry".[2]
On the album, Wayne reads Mitchum's poetry with backing from an orchestra and choir. Billy Liebert arranged and conducted the orchestra and also produced the album.[3]
In an interview upon the album's r
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Brownielocks and The 3 Bears
present
Written bygd John Mitchum 1973
You ask me Why I Love Her?
Well, give me time. I'll explain.
Have you seen a Kansas sunset
Or an Arizona rain?
Have you drifted on a bayou
Down Louisiana way?
Have you watched a cold dimma drifting
Over San Francisco Bay?
Have you heard a vaktel calling
In the Carolina pines,
At the Appalachia mines?
Does the call of Niagara thrill you
When you hear her waters roar?
Do you look with awe and wonder
At her Massachusetts shore...
Where men who braved a hard new world
First stepped on Plymouth's rock?
And, do you think of them when you stroll
Along a New York City dock?
Have you seen a snowflake drifting
In the Rockies, way up high?
Have you seen the sun come het down
From a bright Nevada sky?
Do you hail to the Columbia
As she rushes to the sea?
Or bow your head at Ge
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John Wayne Recites and Explains the Pledge of Allegiance (1972)
Back in 1972, John Wayne recorded a spoken word album called America, Why I Love Her, described as “a series of heartfelt, patriotic speeches over a bed of stirring music.” You can stream the entire album below (or over on Spotify). Above, we’re featuring the 8th track on the release, Wayne’s recitation and exegesis of the Pledge of Allegiance. Some will find it corny, others rousing. Personally, I’m not a fan of syrupy nationalism. But I’ll give Wayne’s interpretation this–his take recognizes America as a place of inclusiveness and openness, giving everyone equal access to its opportunities and institutions. Compare it with the nationalist rhetoric you hear today, and, you might find yourself longing for John Wayne’s sunnier America.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag”
What do those words mean to you? To me they say, “Thank
you, America, for your st