31 SONGS · 31 STORIES · A NATION IN MUSIC
O Say, Can You Sing?
America’s story is written in speeches, battles, migrations—and songs.
Explore the stories behind patriotic standards, freedom songs, marches, service songs, and music that has helped generations of Americans remember what the country has been—and imagine what it can become.
It’s always time for a quest—even through America’s songbook.
THE STORIES BEHIND AMERICA’S SONGS
Hear the music. Discover the history.
O Say, Can You Sing? turns familiar patriotic music into a doorway to American history. Read the stories behind the songs, then use this companion page to watch all 31 performances and open available sheet music.
CHOOSE YOUR PATH THROUGH THE SONGBOOK
Start with a song you know—or a story you don’t.
Every collection below expands on demand, keeping all 31 performances and available sheet-music links close at hand without turning the page into an endless scroll.
All Songs in Book Order · 31 Songs
This is the original sequence used in O Say, Can You Sing?
- The Star-Spangled Banner — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- America the Beautiful — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- My Country ’Tis of Thee — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- Battle Hymn of the Republic — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- God Bless America — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- Lift Every Voice and Sing — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- Yankee Doodle — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- This Land Is Your Land — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- The Stars and Stripes Forever — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- God Bless the USA — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- You’re a Grand Old Flag — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- The Battle Cry of Freedom — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- Hail to the Chief — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- The Liberty Bell March — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- The Washington Post March — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- Hail Columbia — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- Simple Gifts — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- The Battle of New Orleans — Watch Performance
- Home on the Range — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- The Army Goes Rolling Along — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- Anchors Aweigh — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- The U.S. Air Force (The Wild Blue Yonder) — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- Semper Paratus & the Marines’ Hymn — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- Fanfare for the Common Man — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- Over There — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- The Liberty Song — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- Ragged Old Flag — Watch Performance
- We Shall Overcome — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
- This Is My Country — Watch Performance · Sheet Music
National Anthems & Beloved Standards · 6 Songs
Liberty & the Early Republic · 5 Songs
War, Freedom & Civil Rights · 6 Songs
The Battle of New Orleans
Marches & Flag-Wavers · 5 Songs
Saluting the Armed Forces · 4 Performances
The American Spirit · 5 Songs
Ragged Old Flag
KEEP THE MUSIC GOING
One song can open an entire chapter of history.
Continue with the complete patriotic playlist, meet the historical figures connected to the project, or follow more stories behind familiar music through Song Lore and the broader Music & History collection.