The Star-Spangled Banner
I first posted this as an article on ChristianActivities.com a couple of years ago, but I thought I would share it today in my blog for the 4th of July. It is a sad truth that most Americans do not know the words to our National Anthem - "The Star Spangled Banner." Long may she wave!
The defense of Fort McHenry by American forces during the British attack on September 13, 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem which became our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." In 1931, the Congress of The United States of America made "The Star-Spangled Banner" the official national anthem.
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.
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 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 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 wiped out their foul footstep's 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.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-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!
If you have written a patriotic poem about God & Country, you are invited to share a link at Christian Poet's Pen.
Also see:
Fourth of July events in Nashville: concerts, fireworks and more!
Patriotic Trivia
What’s the Greatest Thing About America?
Original article up at ChristianActivities.com.
4th of july
The defense of Fort McHenry by American forces during the British attack on September 13, 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem which became our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." In 1931, the Congress of The United States of America made "The Star-Spangled Banner" the official national anthem.
The Star-Spangled Banner
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.
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 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 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 wiped out their foul footstep's 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.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-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!
If you have written a patriotic poem about God & Country, you are invited to share a link at Christian Poet's Pen.
Also see:
Fourth of July events in Nashville: concerts, fireworks and more!
Patriotic Trivia
What’s the Greatest Thing About America?
Original article up at ChristianActivities.com.
4th of july
Comments
Perhaps we sing along at ball games all too often, without thinking of the origin and meaning of our anthem.
Blessings,
Linda
Wave of Glory - a Poetic Manner on the American Banner
Hands upon our hearts, we stand, As you fly, so bold and grand, What a lovely sight, on view, America's red, white and blue.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/440943/wave_of_glory_a_poetic_manner_on_the.html
memeexpress