Irving Berlin

 Irving Berlin Introduces “God Bless America”

November 9, 1938

In this remarkable letter, songwriter Irving Berlin writes to fellow composer Harry Ruby on the eve of “God Bless America’s” reintroduction to the world. The timing is chilling as the letter was written on the eve of the Kristallnacht program (Nov. 9–10, 1938) in Nazi Germany. Berlin reveals that Kate Smith will sing it the next night on national radio—reviving a forgotten WWI-era tune that would become a defining American anthem. This letter, written just one day before Smith's Armistice Day broadcast, captures the quiet beginnings of what would become one of the most patriotic songs in U.S. history.

On loan from the collection of Stanley & Naomi Yavneh Klos

 

The first public performance of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” was on November 10, 1938, during a live Armistice Day Eve radio broadcast by singer Kate Smith on her CBS radio show The Kate Smith Hour.

Key Points:

• The song had originally been written by Berlin in 1918 during World War I but was shelved for nearly two decades.
• In late 1938, as tensions escalated in Europe, Berlin revised the lyrics—most notably adding the iconic line, “Stand beside her and guide her”—and gave the song to Kate Smith.
• Her November 10th performance was met with an overwhelming response, and the song quickly became a beloved patriotic anthem, especially as America edged closer to entering World War II.

So while Berlin composed the original version in 1918, the first release to the American public was November 10, 1938, through Kate Smith’s radio performance, just one day after Berlin wrote his now-famous letter to Harry Ruby.

Transcription: Irving Berlin TLS

Dated: November 9, 1938
To: Mr. Harry Ruby
Addressed to: 8301 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Calif.

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IRVING BERLIN
November 9th, 1938

Mr. Harry Ruby,
8301 Sunset Blvd.,
Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Harry:

I was glad to get your note this morning. It came as a pleasant surprise to hear again how good "ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND" is. Isn’t it funny, with all the publicity that the picture got, and only so recent, it seems a dead issue now. I suppose that’s true of all pictures regardless of their success. However, I am still getting a tremendous kick out of the success the song is having with no effort from us. It remains the best seller we have today. I wouldn’t wonder if the song eventually sold over two hundred thousand copies at the production price—and you, as a publisher, know what that means.

I lost my enthusiasm for the Revue Sam Harris and I were planning to do mostly because it is awfully tough to get a cast now and we decided that a Revue without personalities is a hopeless proposition. I am now struggling with an angle I have for a book show—but not working too hard at it.

I have one bit of news that I think will interest you. Do you remember a song I wrote during the war that you always liked, called “GOD BLESS AMERICA”? Well, Kate Smith asked me for a song to do at the end of her program on Armistice Day and I put a verse to it and re-wrote the chorus and she will sing it tomorrow night. I am wiring you today to listen in, if you can. I have no idea what I will do with this song after her broadcast but I like the chorus very much.

Please write me again when you find time.
With love from Ellin and myself to you and Eileen, I am,

Sincerely,
[signed] Irving Berlin

IB:MW

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🧐 Evaluation of Importance

This letter is historically significant on several levels:

⭐ 1. “God Bless America” Reintroduction

This is likely the earliest surviving written account of Irving Berlin announcing the revival of “God Bless America.” He originally wrote it during World War I (1918) but shelved it until Kate Smith requested a patriotic number for her Armistice Day (Veterans Day) radio broadcast on November 10, 1938—just one day after this letter.

Berlin’s modest tone—“I have no idea what I will do with this song…”—belies the enormous impact the song would have. It became an American standard, especially during WWII and post-9/11.

⭐ 2.  Cultural Timing  

The timing is chilling: this letter was written on November 9, 1938, the very day Kristallnacht began in Nazi Germany—a violent state-sanctioned pogrom against Jewish communities. While Berlin doesn’t mention world events, the revival of “God Bless America” by a Jewish-American immigrant on the eve of its first major broadcast carries profound symbolic weight. In hindsight, the song’s emergence at that moment gave voice to a deep longing for peace, safety, and national unity.

⭐ 3. Personal Tone & Legacy

Berlin’s correspondence with Harry Ruby (composer and frequent Groucho Marx collaborator) gives insight into his working mind and warm friendships. He casually reveals career decisions and songwriting pivots that would shape 20th-century American music.

⭐ 4. Companion Photo

The Kate Smith signed portrait overlaid on the sheet music of “God Bless America” is a powerful visual pairing, and perfectly complements this letter. Her rendition became the iconic version, and the combination would make a strong exhibit centerpiece.