Let Freedom Ring

 

Kelly Clarkson performs “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” at the second inauguration of President Barack Obama on 21 January 2013.

 

My Country, ‘Tis Of Thee

My country, ’tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing;

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims’ pride,

From ev’ry mountainside

Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee,

Land of the noble free,

Thy name I love;

I love thy rocks and rills,

Thy woods and templed hills;

My heart with rapture thrills,

Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,

And ring from all the trees

Sweet freedom’s song;

Let mortal tongues awake;

Let all that breathe partake;

Let rocks their silence break,

The sound prolong.

Our fathers’ God to Thee,

Author of liberty,

To Thee we sing.

Long may our land be bright,

With freedom’s holy light,

Protect us by Thy might,

Great God our King.

 

US Flag - Fourth Of July Cake - Independence Day - Baking - Let Freedom Ring

 

Happy Independence Day. Let freedom ring!

The Best Things In Life

 

Taking a break from the usual stuff, it’s important to remember that there is far more to this life than work, politics and writing.

And so, on the third anniversary of my marriage to my wonderful wife Jenny, my rock, here’s our wedding song and a great tune – “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys.

Semi-Partisan Politics will be going relatively quiet for the remainder of June, having blogged extensively throughout the 2015 general election campaign. Thanks for all of the emails, comments, tweets and other messages, but most of all simply for reading.

Please do follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and join the email distribution list to stay up to date with the latest news and articles.

 

Follow Semi-Partisan Politics on Twitter here.

Follow Semi-Partisan Politics on Facebook here.

Music For France

 

Maurice Ravel, Piano Concerto in G Major, 2nd Movement – Adagio Assai

Hélène Grimaud, piano

For the people of France on this solemn and reflective day.

Merry Christmas

Brass musicians from the Salvation Army play the Christmas carol “As with gladness, men of old” and raise donations on the concourse at London’s Liverpool Street station during the morning rush hour.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for reading, commenting and encouraging me in my writing and journalism over the course of this year, and to wish you, your families and loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful 2015.

– Samuel Hooper

Music For The Day

 

A Gaelic Blessing, by John Rutter.

In memory of my dear friend Andy Pook, who passed away on 2nd November 2014 and whose uplifting presence is so sorely missed, more than any words of mine can express.

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you
Deep peace of Christ,
of Christ the light of the world to you
Deep peace of Christ to you

Andy Pook Samuel Hooper SPS