The Star Spangled Banner.................

There seems to be a lot of confusion lately just what our national anthem is. This song was written 194 years ago. I'm not really sure what copyright rules were in effect back then but you know, I'm thinking they should pretty much be the same as they are now. This song was written in regard to 'The War of 1812' and the British invasion during the birth of our country. In today's world there seems to be a lot of confusion towards its meaning. This song portrays a part of our history. Any revision or alteration serves an injustice to who we are as a country and where we came from.

This is a new millennium. Times are different now, our country faces different challenges. I respect the need for every voice, nationality, culture to be heard. But let this be a new day. Let a new song be written to express those needs and desires. Why must we alter/amend/steal a song from our past?

The Star Spangled Banner

Written by: Francis Scott Key - 1814

O, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hail'd 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 rocket's red glare, The bomb 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 - 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, sweepingly
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 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!