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The "City on a Hill" conception is quintessentially Yankee, and for the most part the core of a Yankee identity that doesn't exist organically anymore. While t
by thrower123 7y ago
The "City on a Hill" conception is quintessentially Yankee, and for the most part the core of a Yankee identity that doesn't exist organically anymore. While that Yankee ethos was instrumental in forging America, it's far from the only contribution, and looking at everything through the Yankee looking glass misses a great deal.
I think the two most valuable US history books I've read in the past decade are Albion's Seed and American Nations. Everything makes a great deal more sense when broken out of the monolithic "American" or bipolar North vs South narrative.
- giancarlostoro 7y agoIt's also from the Bible, which is much more likely the origin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_5:14 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_5:14 > You are the light of the world. A city > located on a hill can't be hidden.
- nwsm 7y agoThat is covered in the article but the biblical usage is not the point here.
- FisDugthop 7y agoIt's kind of the point, in two ways. First, the constant usage of the Bible to justify political discourse is both a staple of the USA and also painfully stupid. It doesn't matter how nice of an imaginary picture is painted by the "city upon a hill"; it's still a religious and rose-tinted portrait. Exodus probably didn't happen, and so it is a nice story (like Harry Potter) but not worth bringing to the policy table. Second, the Bible is just not very well-translated. Consider this instead: > You are the salt of the earth. > Your flavor brings merit and mirth. > But use too much extra, anybody could tell ya > Oversalted food has no worth. > You are the light of the world. > Like a town on a hill, you are pearled. > But in light we bask, only while it's unmask'd > So fly your town's flags high and unfurled. Still terrible, but at least now it rhymes correctly.
- oh_sigh 7y agoWith KJV at least, the a goal was to create a work that was dignified and resonated with the public. Doggerel rhymes don't really fit that scheme. Please don't take that as an insult - I actually like your version, but it lacks dignity.
- giancarlostoro 7y agoIt wasn't intending to rhyme though.
- everybodyknows 7y agoThe King James translation: > Ye are the light of the world. A city > that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Both translations are in alliterative, enjambed verse. Try reading each aloud, then consider which was more pleasing to your ear.
- giancarlostoro 7y agoI read through several translations, my personal favorite for general readings is CSB (formerly HCSB). Otherwise I prefer some of the Messianic translations that are not afraid to admit that some verses are properly lost to the ages, such as the Camel going through the eye of a needle, in Aramaic the same word for rope and camel exists, if you say a rich man trying to get into heaven is much like a rope going through the eye of a needle, immediately I understand what you're saying, you're saying that they have to lose all the unnecessary threads just to go through, whereas with a camel I have no idea and could assume that it would never happen. There's Aramaic scrolls that are old and translate better than most Greek New Testament scrolls most mainstream bibles are derived from. KJV has a lot of the same flaws as modern translations. And yes, the CSB still has the same flaws, but it's simple to read.
- xeromal 7y agoI always enjoyed reading the KJV. I love how poetic it can be.
- chrisdhoover 7y agoAlbion’s Seed is an important book. Highly recommend it.