Patriotic hymns for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July

Many American churches mark Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Veterans Day with hymns that pray for the nation. The best of them are prayers more than anthems: they thank God for the country's blessings, ask his guidance for its leaders, remember those who served and died, and hold the nation under the judgment and mercy of God.

The hymns below are the ones most often found in American hymnals. “My Country, 'Tis of Thee” ends as a prayer to the “Author of liberty.” “God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand” was written for the centennial of the Declaration of Independence in 1876. “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” is known as the Navy Hymn, and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” has been sung at national services of mourning and celebration for generations. The national anthem is included for services that close with it.

Every text is in the public domain in the United States, taken from a hymnal printed before 1931, so the words may be printed, projected or recorded freely. Use “Print all lyrics” to make one sheet for a patriotic service or a community gathering.

For Remembrance Sunday and Veterans Day in November, the Remembrance hymns page has hymns of memory and peace, including several of the hymns on this page.