My son has never heard "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"

[Shinna_Minna_Ma]

We had a sixth grade teacher, way back in the 73/74 school year, who was a bit of a patriot. We had to memorize the following:
[ul]
[li]the first two verses of the Star Spangled Banner (how many people know there are four verses?)[/li][li]the preamble to the Constitution[/li][li]the American’s Creed[/li][li]The Battle Hymn of the Republic[/li][li]My Country Tis of Thee[/li][li]America (O Beautiful for Spacious Skys)[/li][/ul]
Each morning, one student was assigned to lead the class in the Pledge of Alliegence, the preamble to the Constitution, the American’s creed, and one of the songs. The student also had to read a poem that s/he selected. I remember that for one of my turns, I read “The New Colossus,” found on the Statue of Liberty. I even looked up all the words I didn’t know, in case the teacher asked me what they meant.

Miss Mott. Her name was Miss Mott.

[Penfeather]

@Urbanredneck

In chatting with my son son today about history and the Civil War I asked if he had ever heard that song. He said he hadnt and in fact, they never learned to sing any patriotic songs.

Back when I was in school we learned Battle Hymn.

He also never learned My Country Tis of Thee.

Do you think our youth should learn patriotic songs?

Yes. How else will children learn that they are free if the State doesn’t make them sing patriotic songs and swear oaths of fealty?

[Colibri]

My favorite Civil War song isBattle Cry of Freedom

We will welcome to our numbers the loyal, true and brave,

Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

And although he may be poor, no man shall be a slave,

Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

[Acsenray]

Organized display of patriotic orthodoxy, especially if administered by a state agency, is anti-democratic.

[MrDibble]

Patriotic songs? Hell no. I want my kids to sing the Internationale and The Red Flag in school, just like I did.

[Gyrate]

I think there’s value in teaching those songs because singing in general is good for people, because the songs are part of the culture and because the children can learn the history behind those songs. I don’t think teaching them those songs does a damn thing to make them more patriotic (nor, for that matter, does forcing them to recite the Pledge).

And I concur about “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.” That’s a helluva line even if one isn’t American and/or Christian.