Oh say can you see . . . ? As kids we learned this song, not really understanding the meaning, and mostly without realizing it was only the first verse. Let me tell you a story. In June 1812, Britain had been involved in the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, which resulted in trade restrictions which had a strong impact on the new United States. One of Britains war activities, which angered the US, was their impressing (drafting) American seamen into the Royal Navy, forcing them to fight the French. Congress had enough, and declared war against Britain. Over the course of the next 2½ years, there were numerous battles and skirmishes. Neither side seemed to be able to get a decisive win. In 1815 the British invaded Washington, DC, and burned numerous of public buildings, including the White House, the Capitol, and the Library of Congress. Unprepared, the Americans retreated, burning the Navy Yard on the Potomac to keep it out of British hands. Both sides accumulated prisoners. Most of Britains prisoners were held on boats, anchored in the Chesapeake Bay. One of those prisoners was a Dr. William Beanes, a popular and well respected aging physician, who had tended wounded soldiers both American and British. Beanes was captured during the burning of Washington. And now, please take the time to view the following video, and then we can complete the little history lesson (I apologize if this challenges your attention span, but its easier to watch than to read about it, and besides every American should know this history – including YOU): vimeo/62153695 Now that you understand how important Baltimore and Fort McHenry were to the survival of the United States in that war, and you can maybe understand how and why many brave patriots died for our flag and our country. Perhaps you can also understand why the Star Spangled Banner and other patriotic songs can stir the emotions of veterans and military men – and sometimes they can bring a tear to our eyes, because we cherish our nation, and many of us have fought for it and risked our lives. Now finally, I want to give you the Star Spangled Banner (all of it), and I want you to read it and try to understand the meaning in the words, as Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry, and relayed his observations to the Americans held prisoner by the British, understanding how critical it was that we not lose the battle: 1. Oh say can you see, by the dawns early light, What so proudly we hailed, at the twilights last gleaming, [we saw it there last night] Whose broad stripes and bright stars [Garrison flags 15 stripes were 2 feet wide – 15 stars were 24 inches, point to point, 42 feet long, 30 feet high – 15 because KY had just been admitted, and WV had just separated from VA.] through the perilous fight, Oer the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming. [Rampart – a fortified defensive wall] And the rockets red glare, The bombs bursting in air [heavy mortar shells, on timed fuses so they often exploded before hitting the ground], Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave [the prisoners knew that if the flag went down, it likely signaled the end of the United States as an independent country] Oer the land of the free, and the home of the brave? 2. On the shore dimly seen, through the mists of the deep, [it had been a rainy night, and was a foggy morning] Where the foes haughty host, in dread silence reposes, [the British fleet was anchored in the Chesapeake Bay, waiting] What is that which the breeze, oer the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals half discloses, [hard to see in the dim dawn and fog, but looked like something was there] Now it catches the gleam Of the mornings first beam In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream [we can see the reflection in the water] Tis the Star Spangled Banner, Oh long may it wave [yay !!] Oer the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 3. And where is that band, who so vauntingly swore [twas the British back then; now there are others] That the havoc of war, and the battles confusion A home and a country would leave us no more [wars tend to do that, especially when you lose] Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps pollution. And nothing could save The hireling and slave [everybodys at risk] From the terror of flight, and the gloom of the grave [and other horrors of war] And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph doth wave [we won !!!] Oer the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 4. Oh thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the wars desolation [we must always be ready to defend our home] Blest with victory and peace, may the heavn rescued land [God has saved us] Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must [losing is not an option] When our cause it is just And this be our motto, In God is our Trust. [because we are, and have always been, a Judeo-Christian nation] And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave [unless, of course, some pinheads surrender our freedom] Oer the land of the free, and the home of the brave. =
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 11:20:00 +0000
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