Originally conceived by Irving Berlin in 1918 during his military service at Camp Upton in World War I, "God Bless America" was set aside for two decades—until 1938, when the rise of fascism in Europe moved him to revisit and revise the song on a transatlantic journey home.

Premiered on Armistice Day 1938 by Greeneville, Virginia native Kate Smith—known as the First Lady of Radio—the song struck a powerful chord with Americans. Though never designated as the official anthem, it has endured as a unifying musical prayer and remains one of the most beloved patriotic songs of the 20th century.

As we mark America’s 250th year, "God Bless America" continues to echo themes of reflection, resilience, and hope—hallmarks of an evolving American democracy.

Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin (1938), arr. by Thomas Getty

Vocalist: Hannah Hall

Piano: Thomas Getty

Digital Media: Curated by Brianna Copeland, 

images courtesy of  Virginia Museum of History & Culture from the “Landscapes of Virginia” exhibit

Irving Berlin (1888–1989) was a Russian-American composer and lyricist whose life epitomized the immigrant dream. Arriving in New York City as a young child, he rose from poverty on the Lower East Side to become one of America’s most celebrated songwriters. With no formal musical training, Berlin wrote some of the most enduring songs of the 20th century, including "White Christmas," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Cheek to Cheek," "Blue Skies," and "Puttin' on the Ritz." Berlin donated all royalties for "God Bless America" to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, and his work remains a powerful testament to the contributions of immigrants to America’s cultural and civic life.

"God Bless America"

God bless America, land that I love.

Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam,

God bless America, my home sweet home!

Painting 1: 

Title: Painting, View of Liberty [now Bedford] in Bedford County, Va, Peaks of Otter

Artist: Edward Beyer

Date: Second Half of 19th C. 

Material: Oil on canvas

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins, Partial gift of Mildred Edmunds Long

Painting 2: 

Title: Painting, Virginia Scene

Artist: Richard Norris Brooke

Date: Early 20th C. 

Material: Oil on canvas

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 3: 

Title: Painting, Mill at Logan, Albemarle County

Artist: Eliot Clark

Date: 20th C. 

Material: Oil on fabric

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 4: 

Title: Painting, Washington's House-Mount Vernon

Artist: Victor De Grailly

Date: Mid 19th C. 

Material: Oil on canvas

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 5: 

Title: Painting, Virginia Landscape

Artist: Pierre Daura

Date: 20th C. 

Material: Oil on masonite

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 6: 

Title: Painting, Natural Bridge, 1882

Artist: Flavius Joseph Fisher

Date: Late 19th C. 

Material: Oil on canvas 

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 7: 

Title: Painting, Child Under a Tree, Virginia

Artist: Rockwell Kent

Date: Mid 20th C. 

Material: Oil on canvas 

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 8: 

Title: Painting, Potomac Marsh

Artist: Max Weyl

Date: Early 20th C. 

Material: Oil on canvas 

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 9: 

Title: Painting, Afternoon, Hawks Bill River, Blue Ridge Mountains

Artist: John Ross Key

Date: Early 20th C. 

Material: Oil on canvas 

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 10: 

Title: Painting, Georgetown from Rosslyn

Artist: Gladys Nelson Smith

Date: Early 20th C. 

Material: Oil on canvas 

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 11: 

Title: Painting, Mossy River, Virginia

Artist: Bertha Von Hillern

Date: Late 19th C. 

Material: Oil on canvas 

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 12: 

Title: Painting, Landscape with Cattle

Artist: Pierre Daura

Date: First Half 20th C. 

Material: Oil on canvas 

Credit: Gift of Martha Randolph Daura

Painting 13: 

Title: Painting, Shack, Jump Mountain

Artist: Pierre Daura

Date: Mid 20th C. 

Material: Oil on beaverboard

Credit: Gift of Martha Randolph Daura

Painting 14: 

Title: Painting, Radford Farm, Virginia

Artist: Ernest Lawson

Date: First Half 20th C.

Material: Oil on masonite 

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 15: 

Title: Painting, Mossy Creek

Artist: Hubert Vos

Date: Early 20th C.

Material: Oil on canvas

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 16: 

Title: Painting, Shanty Town

Artist: Hazel Cameron-Menk

Date: 20th C.

Material: Oil on board

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 17: 

Title: Painting, Winter Scene, Virginia

Artist: Edward Beyer

Date: Mid 19th C.

Material: Oil on canvas

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 18: 

Title: Painting, South Fork of South Branch of Potomac River 1846

Artist: William Thompson Russell Smith 

Date: 19th C.

Material: Oil on canvas

Credit: Bequest of Lora M. Robins

Painting 19: 

Title: Painting, "Near Harpers Ferry" 

Artist: Andrew W. Melrose

Date: Mid 19th C.

Material: Oil on canvas

Credit: Bequest of Lora M. Robins

Painting 20: 

Title: Painting, The Passing Storm, Shenandoah Valley

Artist: Alexis Fournier

Date: First Half of 20th C.

Material: Oil on cardboard panel

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins

Painting 21: 

Title: Painting, Shenandoah Valley

Artist: William Louis Sonntag

Date: Mid 19th C. 

Material: Oil on canvas 

Credit: Purchased with funds provided by Lora M. Robins