The national anthem of the United States is heard so often, most Americans have memorized it.
To get the true meaning of the lyrics, written by Francis Scott Key, I need to concentrate on the poetic words of the song, and use a little imagination.
The “Star Spangled Banner” Flag
O 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 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?
I imagine the soldiers’ emotions of dread and hope. I can picture them straining to see their country’s flag still waving—a sign of promise that their fellow soldiers had not succumbed overnight… “Say, can you see our flag? It was flying when the sun was setting last night. We could see those stars and stripes over the walls we built…”
In the nighttime they could see the flag by the glare of the rockets and the bursting bombs. Now the next morning, the soldiers want to know if the flag is still waving, “…are we still free?”
Fort Black Rock rampart
The second verse
Only in elementary school do I remember singing some of the other verses…
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep Whеre the foe’s haughty host in drеad 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, O long may it wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave
The words intrigue me, and fill my mind with more pictures of soldiers straining for just a glimpse of the flag…
The enemy is on the misty shore, but what is that nearby? What is blowing in the breeze? The first rays of sun are revealing the flag! What relief! May it wave always over our land!
Artists rendering of the Ft. Henry bombardment 1814
The 3rd and 4th verses
When our land is illumined with Liberty’s smile If a foe from within strike a blow at her glory
Down, down with the traitor that dares to defile The flag of her stars and the page of her story!
By the millions unchained, who our birthright have gained We will keep her bright blazon forever unstained!
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave While the land of the free is the home of the brave
…a commitment to defend the liberty that was fought for, and ensure this nation really is the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation
Blest with vict’ry 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!
…a beautiful reminder of the “power that hath made and preserved us a nation”! “In God is our trust.”
He was there
The writer of the lyrics, Francis Scott Key, an American poet and lawyer from Maryland, actually witnessed the “Defence of Fort M’Henry”, which was the original name of his poem. He was inspired by the large U.S. flag, with 15 stars and 15 stripes, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort after the battle. History.com tells the fascinating story of his involvement in the Revolutionary War.
Francis Scott Keyes
With appreciation to those who sacrificed and fought for our country’s liberty,
Happy Fourth!
With appreciation to the following for images: Fortwiki for the rampart photo ; Wikipedia for the “Star Spangled Banner” Flag , and the artist’s rendering of the Ft. Henry bombardment 1814 ; Wikimedia for the painting of Francis Scott Key ; Public Domain Pictures for the 4th of July text
Happily Writing 