Posted on 07/04/2010 8:10:05 AM PDT by hecht
The Star Spangled Banner’s Fourth Verse
Most people only know of the first verse to the National Anthem. Indeed, many probably never even knew there was more than that.
Here is the National Anthem in its entirety:
Oh, 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 thru 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. Oh, 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!
Oh! 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!
I know these words must injure the eyes and damage the brains of those who wish us to believe this nation isn’t based on Judeo-Christian principles.
In any event, the following video was taken at a Tea Party in Douglas County Georgia on 4 Jun 10. The gentleman is clearly nervous, but belts out the fourth verse with sincerity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9_bP219ehQ&feature=player_embedded
Wikipedia notes that there was a fifth verse written during the civil war which was never used in later years.
I have always loved that fourth verse, too, and it is sad that it is so unknown.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.