The Star Spangled Banner, what does it mean to YOU?

IssaquahKing, Libertina | May 30, 2004 | IssaquahKing, Libertina

[aomagrat]

Star Spangled Banner Bump!

[Pompah]

Having served this great Country under my Father's,Father's
Stars and Stripes I still stand and remove my hat when she goes by. And I will proudly stand and sing the words to our National Anthem at the ballgame,in the arena wherever it is played. I sing as loud as I can until the lump in my throat quiets me down a bit. I never manage to finish with dry eyes.

If you want to feel like a 110% American go stand up and help sing our Star Spangled Banner at the next Rodeo that comes to town. Those folks know how to put the most goose-bumps into that song.

If we've voting on this. I vote NO CHANGE.

[Publius]

I should have mentioned that nobody really knows who wrote the tune for "To Anachreon in Heaven", the first incarnation of "The Star Spangled Banner". It wasn't Sidney Smith, it wasn't George Frederick Handel, but it was some gentleman musician who got snockered at the Anachreotic Society's bar on Saturday nights.

Back during the Bicentennial, a choral group recorded "Anachreon" in its original TTBB/string orchestra-continuo arrangement. After 12 verses it gets to be a bit much, but you can hear the original tune minus all the changes that occurred before it crossed the Atlantic.

[Libertina]

BUMP To those who have served it must bring back intense memories..thatnks for posting some of them, I vote we not only keep this - but sing ALL verses every time! (A few classroom assignments on the meanings might be in order as well.)

[Libertina]

One wish I have is that at conventions, a note is written in the hand-out and people are verbally reminded about proper flag ettiquette... We should stand, have hands over hearts, and follow the flag as the color guard brings her in. Thank you for your service to our country - we are free because of what you sacrificed...

[Gator113]

I am as big as a bear, I have the heart of a lion and in spite of the many medical issues I now have, I remain as strong as an ox.. But, every time I hear that song or see our flag or see one of our Troops in uniform, I get tears in my eyes, my knees feel weak and chills run up my spine.

It makes me think of those who have fought to defend this country. It makes me think of our past generations, the sacrifices they made and what they achieved in the face of overwhelming resistance. It makes me feel ready to fight, with all of my might, heart and soul, anyone who might want to hurt our Country. So for me, I get feelings of a mixed bag......"love" for those who love, defend and support our Country, and "hate" for those who would want to destroy it. A gift from those who have given their all for this country, provides me with overriding emotions that stand tall above all others........ Pride with Hope and a commitment to Their Memory.

I pray that those who have given their all, or suffered in the defense of our Country, will not be disappointed in the life I have been able live because of the gift of freedom that their sacrifices have given to me.

To all of our brave Troops, past and present.......SALUTE!

[sgtbono2002]

Nothing makes me madder than to hear some celebrity try to show everyone how fantastic their voice is by yodeling the Star Spangled or otherwise changing it to suit their "style" It is our nations anthem and it should be sung like it was written , not yodeled, not screeched, not as a test of who can reach the hig notes and then go higher. .

[Professional Engineer]

USA, the greatest nation on Earth!

Where No Flag Has Gone Before:
Political and Technical Aspects of
Placing a Flag on the Moon</>

[writer33]

"Nothing makes me madder than to hear some celebrity try to show everyone how fantastic their voice is by yodeling the Star Spangled or otherwise changing it to suit their "style" It is our nations anthem and it should be sung like it was written , not yodeled, not screeched, not as a test of who can reach the hig notes and then go higher. ."

I'm with you here. The first thing I do is to start complaining to the wife about how the celebrity has screwed it up. It's a straight song and should be sung that way. There is NO NEED FOR INTERPRETATION OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER!

Francis Scott Key certainly didn't mean it that way and that's just the way it is.

[Libertina]

Thanks Gator - that's because you are a real man. And thank God we still have them! I agree with you about the song, Sgtbono. One of my favorits is a rendition by a men's quartet. Makes me shiver, and their voices are so clear...

[Libertina]

Thanks for that link... now I need to go look up Vexillological... ;)

[writer33]

It reminds me of all of those I've ever served with. Everything I've ever done in service to this country. Every little minute detail of deployments, the way a soldier stands during the playing of it, the way they look before during and after a deployment, and the comraderie that exists of those born into battle together.

I do love that song!

[zencat]

I always liked the fact that our national anthem contains the words "rockets" and "bombs".

Sort of a don't tread on me attitude through and through.

[KPfromDerryNH]

I was the first kid at my high school ever to sing it at graduation. We had no music program. It is my absolute favorite song and after many years of giving into shyness, I have decided I should start singing again. If any of you ever need an anthem singer in NH, let me know.

[JohnBovenmyer]

It is little remembered that these were not the first "star spangled" words Key put to this music. His first version was written 9 years earlier and remains worthy of mention. Alas, I don't know whether the article to which I linked for further information then is still there.

[CyberCowboy777]

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[Rightly Biased]

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, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh how the last verse rings so true!
We pick our favorite hymns at evening worship services I think I'll pick this one just so we can sing the last verse

Thanks for posting this

RB <><

[Rightly Biased]

#37 was meant for you but nmh can read it too I guess.

[Libertina]

You'll be the one. In fact, wonder if we need one on FRM RighTalk radio? hmmmmm :)

[Libertina]

US Bombs and rockets - protective fireworks BUMP! :)