5 Quotes & Sayings By Katharine Lee Bates

Katharine Lee Bates is the author of the original lyrics for the national anthem of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner." Born in 1859 and raised in Alabama, she wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" as a poem about the American flag that she saw during the bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. The first line of her poem read: "O say can you see by the dawn's early light ...”. The second line was added later: “...the star-spangled banner in triumph". Her poem became the official U.S Read more

national anthem upon adoption by an act of Congress on March 3, 1931. She died in 1928 and is buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Tarrytown, New York.

1
0 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! Katharine Lee Bates
2
Love planted a rose, and the world turned sweet. Katharine Lee Bates
3
Surely martyrs, irrespective of the special phase of the divine idea for which they gladly give up their bodies to torture and to death, are the truest heroes of history. Katharine Lee Bates
4
It is the hour to rend thy chains, the blossom time of souls. Katharine Lee Bates