The History Of “America The Beautiful,” The Song Carrie Underwood Sang For Trump’s Inauguration
on Jan 22, 2025
Carrie Underwood Spontaneously Performed A Cappella Following A Technical Issue At Donald Trump’s Inauguration
“America the Beautiful” has been further cemented into U.S. history following Carrie Underwood‘s recent performance at Donald Trump‘s inauguration.
In the lead-up to Inauguration Day, news broke that Underwood would perform “America the Beautiful” during Trump’s swearing-in ceremony on January 20th. Despite receiving some backlash for her decision to perform, Underwood said she was “honored” to do so.
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” the American Idol judge said in a statement. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
Due to cold temperatures, the swearing-in ceremony was moved inside the Capitol Rotunda. Underwood, who looked stunning in a gray dress and elegant jewelry, stood in front of the packed crowd as she prepared to sing “America the Beautiful.”
Unfortunately, technical issues kept the recorded musical track from playing. After a long silence, the track started, then stopped, and did not resume.
Underwood waited for a moment before addressing a staff member. Cameras caught her saying, “I can just sing it.”
Then, Underwood called on everyone in the crowd to join her in singing. From there, she let her voice soar as she sang a cappella, while the crowd sang along.
Viewers complimented Underwood’s beautiful voice and grace under pressure. She even earned a shout-out from her former duet partner, Jason Aldean, who said her decision to sing a cappella was “a pro move.”
While the technical issue could have derailed the ceremony, Underwood proved her talent and made history with her performance of “America the Beautiful.”
What Is The History Behind “America The Beautiful” And Its Lyrics?
“America the Beautiful” is one of the most beloved patriotic songs. As the Library of Congress details, its origins date back to the 1800s.
Katharine Lee Bates, who wrote “America the Beautiful,” was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts in 1859. She spent her childhood by the ocean, which inspired some of her earliest poetic works.
Later, Bates worked as an English professor, and made a lecture trip to Colorado in 1893. While there, she wrote the words to the song we now know as “America the Beautiful.” The words came to her as she visited Pikes Peak, the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in North America.
“It was then and there, as I was looking out over the sea-like expanse of fertile country spreading away so far under those ample skies, that the opening lines of the hymn floated into my mind,” Bates recalled.
Bates’ finished poem was first published in The Congregationalist on July 4, 1895. She revised her lyrics in 1902, and published the new rendition in The Buffalo Illustrated Times later that year. Bates made more additions to the poem in 1913.
“America the Beautiful” was sung to popular folk tunes of the time, most commonly “Auld Lang Syne.” It is now traditionally sung to the tune of a melody penned in 1882 by Samuel Augustus Ward.
Over the years, the song has been featured in popular films such as The Sandlot and The Pentagon Wars. Notable artists such as Ray Charles, Post Malone, and Alan Jackson have covered the song in the past.
Now, Carrie Underwood will forever have a place in American history as someone else who’s delivered an unforgettable version of “America the Beautiful.” Watch her perform the song below.
