7 sacred songs in honor of Memorial Day

'My Country, Tis of Thee'

An American patriotic song that shares a melody with a British ode to the monarchy, the lyrics for "My Country Tis of Thee" were written by the Rev. Samuel Francis Smith in 1831.

Also called "America," while the song is largely centered on celebrating the United States, it does include appeals to Heaven. One example is verse 4:

"Our father's 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!"