Jacqui, you have eloquently expressed thoughts and feelings about our 'national anthem' which rings true on many levels. As a history major in college and then my first Master's class was on Black history taught by Dr. Wells at Eastern Michigan University. Using Langston Hugh's Pictorial History as the main text, he led us, mostly white, through an awesome into American History.
Jacqui, I must ask do you know the whole national anthem. I am sure idiot Gaetz and Kelly do not. Along with all the idiots of Fox News. The writing by Francis Scott Key goes as such-
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 rocket’s 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! 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
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 homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heaven-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!
I am sure no one in congress truly knows how discriminatory the anthem is. I knew there were more verses than one in the song, which was originally a poem by F.S. Key. It wasn't til somewhere between 1916 and 1918 that Woodrow Wilson signed it in officially as our anthem. I never really thought about this until I was at a hockey game against a Canadian team that the man in front of me said to his son that Canada's national anthem is much better than ours since all the song is about is war. Whereas Canada's anthem m is about their country and its beautiful land in itself. That's when I began wondering what the other verses said.
Thank you for that history Jacqui. I have loved the Negro National Anthem since childhood, the power of it, the feelings it evokes, its sheer beauty. I agree with you that should be our national anthem, it’s always felt more like mine. I couldn’t really relate to the other. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for the History lesson. So much as a Canadian I did not know. Throw out the Star Spangled Banner and LIFT EVERY VOICE should be the National Anthem. Amen.
It's much more embarrassing than "God Save our Gracious King, Long live our Noble King..." Not that I don't wish him a long life, but... At least it has a firm proletarian reminder - "May he defend our Laws and always give us cause..." to wish him a long life!
This history is SO important, and like so many other things (..."under God"..) from the Jim Crow/DAR era, should be revisited asap.
As an English immigrant I have no trouble identifying with the Black National Anthem. I think it's far more universal, even if it's specifically referencing the black experience. One tiny note there is "true to our native land" - a divided loyalty for anyone who, unlike African Americans, wasn't born here.
I’ve thought for years that we should make “America the Beautiful” our national anthem.
That said, I do love “Lift Ev’ry Voice.”
Jacqui, you have eloquently expressed thoughts and feelings about our 'national anthem' which rings true on many levels. As a history major in college and then my first Master's class was on Black history taught by Dr. Wells at Eastern Michigan University. Using Langston Hugh's Pictorial History as the main text, he led us, mostly white, through an awesome into American History.
Love this anthem!!
Jacqui, I must ask do you know the whole national anthem. I am sure idiot Gaetz and Kelly do not. Along with all the idiots of Fox News. The writing by Francis Scott Key goes as such-
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 rocket’s 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! 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
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 homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heaven-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!
I am sure no one in congress truly knows how discriminatory the anthem is. I knew there were more verses than one in the song, which was originally a poem by F.S. Key. It wasn't til somewhere between 1916 and 1918 that Woodrow Wilson signed it in officially as our anthem. I never really thought about this until I was at a hockey game against a Canadian team that the man in front of me said to his son that Canada's national anthem is much better than ours since all the song is about is war. Whereas Canada's anthem m is about their country and its beautiful land in itself. That's when I began wondering what the other verses said.
I learned a lot from your message and appreciate the light you shine to this and many important issues.
Bravo, Rev. Jacqui!
Thank you for that history Jacqui. I have loved the Negro National Anthem since childhood, the power of it, the feelings it evokes, its sheer beauty. I agree with you that should be our national anthem, it’s always felt more like mine. I couldn’t really relate to the other. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for the History lesson. So much as a Canadian I did not know. Throw out the Star Spangled Banner and LIFT EVERY VOICE should be the National Anthem. Amen.
Thank you for the history of this blessed song. I love this anthem!
It's much more embarrassing than "God Save our Gracious King, Long live our Noble King..." Not that I don't wish him a long life, but... At least it has a firm proletarian reminder - "May he defend our Laws and always give us cause..." to wish him a long life!
This history is SO important, and like so many other things (..."under God"..) from the Jim Crow/DAR era, should be revisited asap.
As an English immigrant I have no trouble identifying with the Black National Anthem. I think it's far more universal, even if it's specifically referencing the black experience. One tiny note there is "true to our native land" - a divided loyalty for anyone who, unlike African Americans, wasn't born here.
Great information!