The Blogs: Israeli writes unique America tribute anthem

What on earth possessed the Israeli singer-songwriter David Ben Reuven to write an anthem-like tribute to the USA called “America America”? Although the London-born songwriter has lived in Jerusalem for decades, he has always, like so many Israelis, reserved a special place in his heart for America, its traditions and culture, and not least its tremendous impact on his musical development through its seemingly endless line of great singers and composers such as Elvis Presley, Paul Robeson, Gershwin etc. But what prompted him suddenly one day in Jerusalem to decide to write the song tribute with its catchy refrain was that he had recently composed and recorded a fine tribute to Columbus called Ciao Ciao Christopher Columbus.

For an Israeli there is so much that unites our two nations in terms of values and innovation, and in the song Ben Reuven has tried to capture the main elements of the significance and the vision of what America means and has achieved in its relatively short but remarkable history and why it has played and continues to play such a pivotal role in the saga of humanity.

In the relatively short song lyric that covers such major aspects as the beauty of the country and its great variety, the history from the time of its discovery by Columbus, its great human values of freedom and liberty, and the boundless opportunities it offers to all its citizens regardless of creed or color.

Writing such a song to try and encapsulate the greatness of America in a few song verses was no easy task, but Ben Reuven has succeeded by marrying the memorable lyric with a bouncy country-style melody that enhances the words.

Interestingly enough, the song’s public appearance in recorded and written form coincided with the visit of Vice President Pence to Israel and even more tellingly with the recent historic proclamation by President Trump about Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.

Ben Reuven, who works as a translator in Jerusalem, sadly has never been in the United States, but this song might at last provide him with a stepping stone to that longed for wish to see for himself all the beauty, history, values and achievements which he so powerfully renders in his song tribute.

David Herman, davidherman2@013net.net, 02-6536764

AMERICA, AMERICA
words and music: Ben Reuven

America, America, America,
America, America, America,
America, America, America,
America, America, America..

Such a beautiful country
Such a beautiful land,
From the Texas border
To the Rio Grande.
Form the Mississippi
To New York City
From California
To Maryland.

America, America…

Sing it loud and clear,
For all the world to hear,
Sing, sing…

America, America..

God bless Columbus
And his great New World
With its flag of freedom
Fearlessly unfurled.
God bless the nation
That leads the way,
God bless the people
Of the USA.

America, America…

I have a vision
A dream so pure,
That knows no frontiers
That will endure,
Of the land of liberty
Where dreams come true,
It’s the land of opportunity
For every creed and hue.

America, America…

Finally don’t miss viewing the superb YouTube version by Elchanan Berkowitz called America, America.