Frankie and Slim

Frankie and Slim
Happy New Year

Saturday, September 20, 2008

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER

The Star Spangled Banner
Composed by Francis Scott Key, "In Defense of Fort McHenry", September 20, 1814.
Congress proclaimed it the U.S. National Anthem in 1931.Midi by Lesley Nelson

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, 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
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' 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 on the stream:'
Tis the star-spangled banner: O, 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 wash'd 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.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd 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
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

12 comments:

  1. You know I don't think I've ever seen the whole song before! Thanks for sharing that!

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  2. That's wonderful. Brings a smile as it's one of the first pieces I played on my piano - that and Danny Boy. Thanks for a lovey memory.

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  3. I seldom see or hear the 2-3-4th verses, so it is nice to read them!

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  4. I love going to baseball games and hearing that song before the game starts.....I always get tears in my eyes as I think about the words...

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  5. thanks for the post!!!! :)

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  6. I would've never known all the words (the extended version) if you hadn't written them here.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  7. I knew there were other verses, but had never read them before. My thanks for you posting them all. Its hard to believe we actually have a man running for president of this noble nation who won't put his hand on his heart and pledge allegiance to the flag, not even wear a flag lapel pin---??

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  8. That is great! Like everyone else, I knew there were other verses, just never knew them. I get goosebumps whenever I hear it sung live, but get Pi**ed off when guys don't remove their hats or people talk through it. No respect. Thanks, so much, for sharing.

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  9. Wow, I also had no idea that song was so long! I felt guilty about that until I saw that I'm not the only one!

    Your words under Vote for Country in your sidebar are beautiful. So true! I can definitely admit that it's hard for me to disagree with people this time of year. I get so riled up. Your words were really helpful.

    Have a great week! :-)

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  10. Yes Sammy, you can see you are not alone in realizing the National Anthem has more verses. I was even shocked when I found this. It made me realize too that as long as we are all singing this song, we're out for one thing (even in very different ways) and that is our country. I've found myself getting pretty nasty in some of my comments and some of my outbursts made me feel like I was suffering PMS until I realized I have PPS (Pre-Political Syndrome). I have strong hope that regardless of who our next President is, "we the people" will never allow our freedom in this unique nation to be lost.

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  11. I never read a post before during which I felt like I should STAND UP!

    GOOD ONE, and great reminder, Granny!

    I'm starting a thirty minute weekly class at our church preschool called WEE AMERICANS...they're learning the pledge and the first verse of this anthem...and stories about Betsy Ross, etc etc.....this inspired me again! Thanks!

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  12. I have to print and practice!!! LOL

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