by Goingray58
With the fourth upcoming — a reminder about the national anthem you might hear and about what you will not hear.
As is often the case, Francis Scott Key just happened to be there and was inspired to pen the words of a Poem later set to music.
The Star Spangled Banner was not even the Poem’s original name, nor was the music it was set to original.
It was composed in September of 1814 just after the British bombed Fort McHenry in the war of 1812.
Attribution:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/key-pens-star-spangled-banner
As we can see by the dates the poem was authored, more than one conflict has been fought for freedom before its creation.
We have fought and will fight many, as freedom to choose ones circumstance, is often resisted by those who would control rather than enable.
It wasn’t until much later that the then “The Star Spangled Banner” was made THE National Anthem (there were several contenders up to that point).
On July 27, 1889, Secretary of the Navy Benjamin F. Tracy signed General Order #374, making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the official tune to be played at the raising of the flag.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” was recognized for official use by the United States Navy in 1889, and by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, and was made the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931 (46 Stat. 1508, codified at 36 U.S.C. § 301), which was signed by President Herbert Hoover.
Attribution:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner
I encourage everyone to read the full lyrics.
It is my thought that there are two reasons why the entire anthem is not played that are evident in the lyrics.
The first, is that in general our fellow citizens, for the most part have no tolerance for anything that is much more than entertainment.
(Editorial)
As it is often too much trouble to stand or place their hand over their heart.
It is too much trouble to listen and wait an extra few seconds before they sit or get the next beer.
The Second, is quite simply the last verse (but read all of it).
My interpretation, and is supported in many other writings of the time, is that God gave us this nation for our obedience to his word.
Neither men nor women of any stripe or condition gave us the U.S.A.
(notice even the acronym United States of America says we are a collection of accenting Sates, not one country of subjects. But that is a different conversation)
Not to diminish the many who have given all they have to give, to make the U.S.A. free and keep it that way.
Far from it. The stories of bravery, self-sacrifice and leadership to do so are legion and we could not be free without that.
They deserve all the honor, praise, thanks and support we can give them.
Certainly more than they get from ungrateful leadership as well as citizenry.
I’ll step out on a limb and say any sacrifice given to keep America free reinforces the last verse.
To step further out. It is why the last verse is not sung, and I would suggest that the Anthem will be under attack sooner rather than later for that reason.
I’ll go out even further and say if God ordains a thing or denies a thing it cannot be gainsaid or negotiated.
After you read the verse and think about it ask yourself a question:
What must “We The People” do to have an America, as United States where Freedom and Liberty are once again the rule rather than the exception?
Read the full Poem/Song. I can’t do it without hearing the music, and seeing faces no longer here.
But I see faces that still are here as well, and that is important too.
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 thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.
And the rocket’s 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.
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses.
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power 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!
Attribution:
http://www.usa-flag-site.org/song-lyrics/star-spangled-banner/
