"God Bless America": its history

National Public Radio recently did a report on the history of the song, "God Bless America." It's an interesting history, indeed.

The song was written by Irving Berlin, a Jewish immigrant, and introduced by Kate Smith, who was, at the time, the most widely known popular singer. (Berlin also wrote "Alexander's Ragtime Band," and "White Christmas," and other songs.) The report, drawing on a book on the subject of the history of the song by Sheryl Kaskowitz, describes how the song has been used by various groups, in various ways, throughout its history. Originally, it had phrases objecting to possible US involvement in World War II, for example. (These were changed.)

Thanks for reading.