Happy 202nd birthday to our National Anthem

GATORGIRL · ‎07-28-2016

GATORGIRL · ‎07-28-2016

The words were written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, who had been inspired by the sight of the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry after a night of heavy British bombardment. The text was immediately set to a popular melody of the time, "To Anacreon in Heaven."

The National Anthem consists of four verses. On almost every occasion only the first verse is sung.

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 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?

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 and 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.

http://www.music.army.mil/music/nationalanthem/

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

I watched something about this on TV. Francis Scott Key was an attorney. The USA & England were once again at war - the war of 1812. The British armada was anchored off Fort Henry and were holding many prisoners in the holds of the ships and Key was sent out to negiotiate for a prisoner exchange. The british prisoners were being held in Fort Henry, as well many American families lived there - women & children included. The British officer who was supposed to negiotiate was uncooperative and told Key it would not matter any more after that night because the armada was fully armed and they were planning to bomb Fort Henry until it was either totally destroyed or the Americans took down their flag & surrendered. The British did not allow Key to return to land but held him prisoner on the ship - however he was not put in the hold in chains as the other prisoners but was allowed on deck where he observed the entire carnage. However, throughout the horrible bombing the Americans never gave up and flew their flag the whole time - the support that held the flag had been broken so various officers volunteered to go and hold the flag up despite that the British repeatedly aimed their bombs at the flag and many who held it up were killed.When morning came and the British were out of ammo the American flag was still being held up by an American soldier. Key reported this to the prisoners chained in the hold of the ship and they cheered - whopped & hollered in pride.Key returned to shore and wrote the poem that became our national anthem. Of course there was no prisoner exchange because the British had killed their own soldiers who were held at the fort they bombed.

silkyk · ‎03-03-2011

God bless America! Happy Birthday Anthem!

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@GATORGIRL wrote:

@GATORGIRL

Could never see this picture often enough, and I thank you for posting this historic event.

Our National Anthem. Anyone that claims to be a true American citizen should respect at all times. What I have seen lately, as a Vet, cuts me to my soul.

hckynut(john)

Shogirl · ‎12-06-2010

Bravo! Lovely post, @GATORGIRL.

traveler · ‎03-09-2010

I wish our anthem was America the Beautiful. Easier to sing and melody is not a pub song.

Rose429 · ‎08-26-2012

To all the veterans that have served and r currently serving I thank-you for all that u have given for our freedom. When I hear this song and frankly every night in my prayers I think of all the brave men and women that have served this great country and realize how much my ability to live life and take advantage of the wonderful opportunities given to me, reflects their sacrifices. You are my HEROES!!