There are the “Star-Spangled Banner,” “ America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America” — all patriotic songs that celebrate America. Another song, “God Bless the USA,” has also stood the test of time.

I was heading home on the 4 train with my son after a Yankees game. It had been a picture-perfect New York day—sunshine, baseball, hot dogs, and family. During the seventh-inning stretch, the crowd ...