O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their couontry loved,
And mercy more than life!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
Written by Katharine Lee Bates