The Star Spangled Banner
Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2007
by David Tanguay
“The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States, with lyrics written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key. Key, a 35-year-old amateur poet, wrote them as a poem after seeing the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland by United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland British ships in Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812.
O 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. I have added a personal verse as a response to each verse of the anthem Oh say can you see YES I see you America By the dawn’s early light YOUR light shines on us all What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming, I FELT the chill run down my back Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, SO MANY have died defending your cause O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? I have never seen such a triumphant sight And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air THE scene and sound enough to revive the dead Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. SHE waves freely through the dark as well as she does in the light O say does that star spangled banner yet wave SHE continues to wave in spite of all her country’s flaws O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? IF YOU are free it is your land, if you are brave it is your home
"The Battle at Fort McHenry"
"The Star Spangled Banner Flag" fifteen stars, fifteen strips
I liked your additive, "... SHE continues to wave in spite of all her country's flaws..." Yes, David, she does. Everytime I am somewhere where that song is played, I get emotional. All in all I love this country which is why I pray so hard for her. You are one of a kind, Mr. Tanguay, and I mean that in a good way! Thanks for being who you are!Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you Judy, how is your father these days?Please log in to respond to this comment.
very nice, David, i think it's good for all of us to be reminded of the words and meaning to the star spangled banner. thanks for presenting it. best regards, sue thomPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting SusanPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Thank you very much. I really enjoyed your personal verses. I never grow tired of hearing our National Anthem and I am not embarassed to say that I still get a chill whenever I hear it.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting Tim, I'm glad you enjoyed it.Please log in to respond to this comment.
