THE STAR SPANGLED BANNERr ~ In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem, Defense of Fort McHenry. The poem was later put to the tune of (John Stafford Smiths song) The Anacreontic Song, modified somewhat, and retitled The Star Spangled Banner. Congress proclaimed The Star Spangled Banner the U.S. National Anthem in 1931. Oh, say, can you see, by the dawns early light, What so proudly we haild at the twilights last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro the perilous fight, Oer the ramparts we watchd, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore dimly seen thro the mists of the deep, Where the foes haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, oer the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the mornings first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream: Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave Oer 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 battles confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has washd 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 Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave. O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand, Between their lovd homes and the wars desolation; Blest with victry and peace, may the heavn-rescued land Praise the Powr that hath made and preservd us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause is just, And this be our motto: In God is our trust And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 00:12:52 +0000