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On its 200th anniversary, five myths about ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ ^ | Sept 11, 2014 | Steve Vogel

Posted on 09/14/2014 11:45:13 AM PDT by Whenifhow

This weekend marks the 200th anniversary of the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Over the years, many debates have surrounded the national anthem — involving its meaning, its quality and the circumstances under which Francis Scott Key came to write it. Before you hear “Oh say, can you see” at the next ballgame or school assembly, make sure you’ve dispelled these myths first.

1. ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ was written about an insignificant battle in an insignificant war.

The nation’s future was at stake in 1814, with the US on the brink of defeat in the third year of the War of 1812, a conflict with Britain that would determine the future of the North America. The battle for Baltimore took place three weeks after the British captured Washington , leaving the Capitol, the White House and virtually every other federal building a smoking ruin.

With President Madison’s government on the run, the U.S. treasury bankrupt and British forces preparing an attack from Canada to sever New England from the rest of the country, there was widespread fear that another defeat could force the collapse of the government and the dissolution of the Union.

Yet the US escaped disaster largely because the repulse of the British at Baltimore and the concurrent U.S. victory at Lake Champlain forced Britain to drop harsh peace terms. For many Americans, this second war of independence created a feeling of national unity that had not truly existed — a fitting moment for the nation’s anthem to emerge.

2. The anthem is a celebration of war.

3. Key was too far from Fort McHenry to see anything, let alone the flag.

4. We should make ‘America the Beautiful’ our anthem.

5. The flag flying over Fort McHenry during the bombardment is on display at the Smithsonian.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Maryland
KEYWORDS: 1812; american; americanhistory; nationalanthem; patriotic
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1 posted on 09/14/2014 11:45:13 AM PDT by Whenifhow
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Comment #2 Removed by Moderator

To: NonValueAdded

OK, read the article first, NVA. D’oh!


3 posted on 09/14/2014 11:49:23 AM PDT by NonValueAdded ("Kerry, as Obama's plenipotentiary, is a paradox - the physical presence of a geopolitical absence")
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To: Whenifhow
There was a "Star-Spangled Banner" of sorts before there was a Star-Spangled Banner--by which I mean there was a patriotic song sung to the same tune, the words of which you can read here. I actually had a group of people once sing all the verses of this for a July 4th commemoration, and the general reaction was that it was too confusing and too long. Long is one issue, but if you take the time, you will discover how much patriotism can be found in the lyrics.
4 posted on 09/14/2014 11:49:23 AM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
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To: Whenifhow

This is better:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRUjr8EVgBg


5 posted on 09/14/2014 11:54:30 AM PDT by SkyDancer (I Was Told Nobody Is Perfect But Yet, Here I Am)
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To: chajin

The article below claims that Francis Scott Key borrowed the tune “To Anacreon in Heaven” - video of that tune is linked below.

‘Star-Spangled Banner’: Anthem was once a song of drinking and sex

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-star-spangled-banner-200-anniversary-20140912-story.html

“The words of ‘To Anacreon in Heaven,’ the song that Francis Scott Key borrowed for the melody of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’

The Anacreon Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydAIdVKv84g


6 posted on 09/14/2014 11:55:06 AM PDT by Whenifhow
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To: Whenifhow
“To Anacreon in Heaven”

Which seems to have been a favorite tavern song of the day, so that writing patriotic lyrics to the tune would be a vehicle to make the lyrics more popular.

7 posted on 09/14/2014 11:59:33 AM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
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To: Whenifhow

Just said a prayer of thanks to the Almighty.

He decreed that 200 years ago today, the fledgling nation called the United States of America would not be allowed to revert back to British domination, but would remain free, and to fulfill its destiny as the shining beacon of freedom to the world.


8 posted on 09/14/2014 12:01:27 PM PDT by exit82 ("The Taliban is on the inside of the building" E. Nordstrom 10-10-12)
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To: Whenifhow

The song Has 4verses The first verse and the question that is only answered in the fourth verse. Inexplicably are dumb downed nation only knows of the first verse which is a shame because it is nonsensical without the other three.


9 posted on 09/14/2014 12:14:11 PM PDT by hecht (america 9/11, Israel 24/7)
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To: All

If you are a veteran and want to get your blood pumping, listen to the fabulous rendition of the National Anthem by Madison Rising....
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


10 posted on 09/14/2014 12:19:04 PM PDT by JW1949
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To: Whenifhow

Whitney Houston - Star Spangled Banner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lCmBvYMRs

One of the best ever.


11 posted on 09/14/2014 12:27:10 PM PDT by Balding_Eagle (If America falls, darkness will cover the earth for a thousand years.)
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To: JW1949

4 Minutes

Madison Rising - The Star Spangled Banner (America The Movie Version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWmuIyZyRug


12 posted on 09/14/2014 12:27:44 PM PDT by Whenifhow
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To: All

Go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8C7i9kdEf8

The lead singer is a Navy veteran (Hospital Corpseman)


13 posted on 09/14/2014 12:28:10 PM PDT by JW1949
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To: hecht

all 4 verses are posted here

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3203773/posts?page=8#8

Also some original documents here
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3203773/posts?page=19#19


14 posted on 09/14/2014 12:29:02 PM PDT by Whenifhow
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To: Whenifhow

I think the Battle of New Orleans is what sealed America’s independence. I know a peace treaty had been signed before the battle even took place but that really lopsided win put the stamp of victory, and strength on the treaty.


15 posted on 09/14/2014 12:29:35 PM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8: verses 38 and 39. "For I am persuaded".)
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To: Whenifhow

That video is a really good one also...

BOTH videos get my old, beatup, worndown blood to pumping...


16 posted on 09/14/2014 12:35:06 PM PDT by JW1949
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To: ConorMacNessa

From a Hospital Corpseman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8C7i9kdEf8


17 posted on 09/14/2014 12:35:08 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: Whenifhow
"America the Beautiful". I know the commie libs have been trying to get the anthem changed for years. Personally, I'd rather fight than switch. Also, what would the commie libs do about those pesky lyrics? Heh heh heh. Maybe this is why they're not pushing this change anymore.

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good

with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet

Whose stern impassioned stress

A thoroughfare of freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness

And every gain divine

!O beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

Changing the anthem now would cause liberal DemocRATS' heads to explode all over the country. Not only the mention of God but for other lines in the lyrics as well. It just doesn't fit their "What's In It For Me" fundamentally transformed America.

18 posted on 09/14/2014 12:48:49 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Don't just stand there! Help fight political correctness!)
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To: Balding_Eagle

That is a quality video! Thanks!

For sports fans:

The Maryland football team will wear ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ lyrics against West Virginia

http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2014/09/09/the-maryland-football-team-will-wear-star-spangled.html?ana=twt

AND

A superstar rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner - featuring some of the best performances at @MLB games: http://atmlb.com/1uC4Jqp #SSB200

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/94200716/v36178565/celebrate-the-national-anthems-200th-anniversary/?partnerId=as_mlb_20140914_31589056


19 posted on 09/14/2014 12:54:34 PM PDT by Whenifhow
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To: Balding_Eagle

Sarah Maclachan does a nice one as well as O CANADA at a hockey game. there are probably more us hockey fans who know the words to O CANADA than libtards knowing the words to THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER


20 posted on 09/14/2014 12:58:55 PM PDT by bravo whiskey (we shouldn't fear the government. the government should fear us.)
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