A hymn of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday.  Each of us is urged by our Government to give thanks on a holiday.  There's nothing unique there - pretty much all Nations have such a holiday, and each Government encourages celebration on the chosen day.

What's unique is that on Thanksgiving, each of us is expected to decide for ourselves what it is that we are thankful for.  It is the quintessential American devolution of power to the individual, perhaps honored more today in the breach, but nonetheless enshrined in the American psyche.  You pick what it is to celebrate.

This day, perhaps the most American of all holidays, demands uniquely American music.  Fortunately, there is a wealth of offerings, from Aaron Copeland to Charles Ives, but perhaps the most quintessentially American music is this, William Billing's "Chester".  Back in the unpleasantness with his late Majesty King George, this was only surpassed in popularity by Yankee Doodle itself.  The tune is, like America itself, simple and uncomplicated.  The rendition here on banjo (as opposed to symphony) is equally simple and uncomplicated.  The ideas being addressed are deep, worthy of long contemplation and yes, thanksgiving.



May today's celebration be simple and uncomplicated, as befits this day.