The Star-Spangled Banner
It's close to Independence Day, and it had me thinking about "The Star-Spangled Banner". Yes, the famous poem written by Francis Scott Key. In 1931, of course, the music put to the poem became our official National Anthem. However, having sung it many a time, it made me wonder why some of the pop stars are going bananas over a phrase that is actually a question. I, personally, believe that the 4th verse should be used for the anthem, as it is much more triumphant and proclaiming, as an anthem should be, especially if you have pride in your country. I talked to someone about this, and he did not believe me when I said the first verse ended with a question. So, let me break down the first verse. First off, since there are many Americans that don't even know the words, here they are:
Oh say, can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts, we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Now, let's break it down. First off, "Oh say" is a salutation, much like how we would say "Hey buddy" nowadays. The first four lines, naturally, talk about how, before the battle of Fort McHenry (about which this poem was written), they can see the symbol of this country, the American flag, from a distance. The next two lines I do not take to believing that Mr. Key can actually see the flag. He's likely in a tent, and he thinks that the flag is still waving, because the British are attempting to attack with rockets and bombs. With the last two lines, I believe they had just woke, still in the tents, and Mr. Key is asking if the flag is still waving. This is why it seems a bit odd to me that celebrities would sing the last two lines like it were an exclamation, when in reality, it should be a little more humble, as it is a question.
The next two verses are interesting, but I will let you research this on your own. I shall now present to you the fourth verse:
O! Thus be it ever, where freemen shall stand,
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Bless'd with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n rescued land,
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto, "In God is our Trust."
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Now, is it just me, or does THAT sound like an anthem?! Granted nowadays it would probably receive a lot of flak because of the phrase, "In God is our Trust." However, it sounds much more powerful, and like something over which any American should get excited. Instead of wondering if the country is still around, we proclaim, "This is our country, and you don't mess with it!"
Happy Independence Day to all Americans.
Oh say, can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts, we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Now, let's break it down. First off, "Oh say" is a salutation, much like how we would say "Hey buddy" nowadays. The first four lines, naturally, talk about how, before the battle of Fort McHenry (about which this poem was written), they can see the symbol of this country, the American flag, from a distance. The next two lines I do not take to believing that Mr. Key can actually see the flag. He's likely in a tent, and he thinks that the flag is still waving, because the British are attempting to attack with rockets and bombs. With the last two lines, I believe they had just woke, still in the tents, and Mr. Key is asking if the flag is still waving. This is why it seems a bit odd to me that celebrities would sing the last two lines like it were an exclamation, when in reality, it should be a little more humble, as it is a question.
The next two verses are interesting, but I will let you research this on your own. I shall now present to you the fourth verse:
O! Thus be it ever, where freemen shall stand,
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Bless'd with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n rescued land,
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto, "In God is our Trust."
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Now, is it just me, or does THAT sound like an anthem?! Granted nowadays it would probably receive a lot of flak because of the phrase, "In God is our Trust." However, it sounds much more powerful, and like something over which any American should get excited. Instead of wondering if the country is still around, we proclaim, "This is our country, and you don't mess with it!"
Happy Independence Day to all Americans.