Though I learned this song many years ago, I’ve never played it much. But the events of the past few years have inspired me to polish up this old masterpiece and after doing so, I thought I’d share it.
Over a hundred years ago an English lady named Katherine Bates penned the lyrics while gazing easterly from the top of Pikes Peak. I spent most of my Army days at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs so I’m a bit familiar with the awe of the view.
But it was Ray Charles who really put the song in perspective, for me anyway. And though I don’t have access to all the great musicians he worked with (or any others, actually), I’ve tried to put the same passion and patriotism in my little guitar/vocal version.