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The
National Anthem of the United States of America, written by Francis
Scott Key, is a song that stirs emotion in many a citizen. It can
be an uplifting experience to be at a public event and join in the
singing of this proud anthem.
But believe it or not, some people don't know all
the words to the song. They may know how to fake it, lipsynching
and mumbling during the opening festivities at Ball Games. But the
fact remains, they do not know the words to the National Anthem!
Friends, don't let this happen to you. Before you head out for
4th of July festivities, take a moment to memorize the lyrics to
the nation's most important song.
For the purposes of the average public celebration, knowing the
first verse of the anthem is plenty to get you by. True purists,
however, will want to know all four verses.
he Star Spangled Banner
By Francis Scott Key
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 rocket's 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 hihrefing 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!
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!
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