Defense of Fort McHenry

Wikipedia the lyrics to TheStar-Spangled Banner, the National Anthem of the USA, come from the poem written by Francis Scott Key called Defense of Fort McHenry. I figured that on this July 4^th, I’d post this here for everybody to read. Our country has gone through a lot on its own shores for its own independence and posting this today just seemed appropriate.

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? 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 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. O! 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!

These days, we sing the first verse as our national anthem. I never learned this until going to many San Jose Sharks hockey games over the last three years. These days, especially after having seen the civil war museum in Gettysburg and knowing what we’ve gone through as a nation both before and after that horrible war, this song brings tears to my eyes. I just wish some of our politicians would take a step back and reflect on this from time to time. Have a Happy Fourth today. Be safe and sane. Thanks for visiting and Keep Coming Back!!!]]>