My Country, 'Tis of Thee

Samuel Francis Smith wrote these words in 1831 and set them to the tune of the British anthem “God Save the King.” The song is also known by the title “America.”

This is one of the easiest songs on the site. It stays between holes 3 and 6 and moves mostly by step. The 3 draw appears twice in the first three lines, and you play it straight with no bend.

Harmonica tabs

Verse 1

4  4     -4   -3   4  -4
My coun- try, 'tis of thee,

5     5    -5 5    -4  4
Sweet land of lib- er- ty,

-4 4    -3 4
Of thee I  sing.

6    6     6  6   -5    5
Land where my fa- thers died,

-5   -5 -5  -5   5      -4
Land of the pil- grims' pride,

5    -5 5 -4 4 5     -5    6
From ev-  ery  moun- tain- side,

-6 -5 5     -4  4
Let   free- dom ring!

Playing tips

• The song is in 3/4 time. Count “1, 2, 3” and give “coun-” and “try” a slightly longer first note.
• “Land where my fathers died” is four 6 blows in a row. Tongue each one lightly so they don’t blur together.
• Words: Samuel Francis Smith, 1831. Public domain.