America the Beautiful Lyrics Printable – Download a free America the Beautiful lyrics printable with all four traditional verses in one clean, US Letter PDF. It is a simple choice for a Fourth of July gathering, Memorial Day program, Veterans Day activity, classroom lesson, church service, patriotic sing-along, or family event.
Printable format: PDF • US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) • all four verses • print-friendly design
Download the free America the Beautiful lyrics printable PDF
America the Beautiful Lyrics
Lyrics by Katharine Lee Bates. The text below uses the familiar traditional wording with modernized spelling.
Verse 1
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Verse 2
O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
Verse 3
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!
Verse 4
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
How to Print the Lyrics?
- Download the PDF above.
- Open the file and choose a standard US Letter paper size (8.5 x 11 inches).
- Select Actual Size or 100% in your printer settings.
- Print in color or black and white. The design remains easy to read either way.
The printable fits on one page, making it easy to hand out to a group or place in a classroom, program folder, song binder, or patriotic activity packet.
Who Wrote America the Beautiful?
America the Beautiful began as a poem by American writer and Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee Bates. She wrote the opening lines after visiting Pikes Peak during a trip to Colorado in 1893. The poem first appeared in print in 1895 and was later revised. The words became widely associated with Samuel A. Ward’s 1882 melody, commonly called Materna.
Its well-known images—spacious skies, amber waves of grain, purple mountain majesties, and shining seas—make it a favorite choice for American heritage lessons and community observances.
Is America the Beautiful Public Domain?
Yes. The lyric text used in this printable is in the public domain in the United States. The final version was published in 1913, and U.S. Copyright Office guidance states that works published or copyrighted before January 1, 1931, are in the public domain in the United States.
That said, a modern recording, newly arranged sheet music edition, or other newly created version may carry its own copyright. This printable is a lyrics-only sheet and does not reproduce a modern arrangement or recording.
Ways to Use This Free Printable
- Fourth of July: Add it to a family barbecue, parade packet, or fireworks-night sing-along.
- Classroom activities: Use it with lessons about American poetry, geography, civic observances, or Pikes Peak.
- Church and community programs: Print copies for patriotic services, ceremonies, and local events.
- Veterans Day and Memorial Day: Include it in a respectful music or remembrance program.
- Home learning: Keep a copy in a music binder, holiday notebook, or Americana-themed activity folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this printable include all the verses?
Yes. The PDF includes the four traditional verses commonly printed with America the Beautiful lyrics.
Does the printable include sheet music?
No. It is a lyrics-only printable designed for easy reading and group singing. This helps avoid confusion with modern copyrighted musical arrangements.
Can I use this in a classroom, church, or community event?
Yes. The printable contains public-domain lyric text and is designed for personal, educational, church, and community use in the United States.
What paper size should I use?
The PDF is made for US Letter paper, which measures 8.5 x 11 inches. For the intended layout, print at 100% scale rather than using a fit-to-page option.