Billy Preston

Songwriter: Samuel Francis Smith

My country, 'tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
For this I sing;
Land where my fathers died
Land of the pilgrims' pride
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee
Land of the noble free
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above

Let music swell the breeze
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break
The sound prolong

Our fathers' God, to Thee
Author of liberty
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light;
Protect us by Thy might
Great God, our King

William Everett Preston was an American musician whose work encompassed R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel. Preston was a top session keyboardist in the 1960s, during which he backed artists such as Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Rev. James Cleveland and The Beatles.

The Beatles and Billy Preston during the Get Back sessions in 1969.

more tracks from the album

I Wrote a Simple Song

From the album

I Wrote a Simple Song (1971)

Billy Preston popular songs

My Country, ’Tis of TheeBilly Preston

Billy Preston

I Wrote a Simple Song