Posted on 09/16/2016 6:07:24 PM PDT by Kaslin
Two hundred and two years ago, in September of 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The song quickly gained popularity as an expression of patriotism and American values. In 1931, over a hundred years after it was written, Pres. Hoover and Congress made it the official national anthem.
But this decision was not inevitable. Many songs have served as unofficial anthems throughout America’s history, and Congress might have selected any one of them instead. Here are five songs that were almost the national anthem.
1. “Yankee Doodle Dandy”
During the Revolutionary War, the British army would sing “Yankee Doodle Dandy” to mock their American opponents. Rather than being offended, however, American soldiers decided to sing the tune themselves, reclaiming it as a point of pride. The song became America’s unofficial anthem for years after the war.
2. “America the Beautiful”
English teacher Katherine Lee Bates wrote the song “America the Beautiful” in 1893. She felt inspired to write it after making a trip to Colorado and taking a wagon up the 14,000-foot mountain known as Pikes Peak. She described feeling a “great joy” upon seeing the view from the mountaintop.
“All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with sea-like expanse,” she wrote.
The song was a top contender for the national anthem in 1926.
3. “Hail, Columbia”
Philip Phile composed the music of “Hail, Columbia” for George Washington’s inauguration. A decade later, Pennsylvanian lawyer Joseph Hopkinson added lyrics to the music. Hopkinson addressed the song to “Columbia”—the female personification of America. It was popular during that time to imagine Columbia as a feminine guardian of the United States, as Britannia is to the U.K.
The song was considered America’s unofficial national anthem during much of the nineteenth century. It is now used as the Vice President’s entrance song.
4. “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
In 1861, abolitionist Julia Ward Howe rewrote the lyrics to a popular but unseemly campfire spiritual called “John Brown’s Body.” The result was “Battle Hymn of the Republic”: an intensely patriotic song that testified to the moral and religious dimensions of the Union cause. The song served as the Union’s rallying cry during the Civil War. After the Civil War, many northerners wanted to make the song the country’s national anthem, but southerners rejected the proposal.
5. “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”
Rev. Samuel Francis Smith wrote the lyrics to “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” in 1831. He is alleged to have written it in thirty minutes on a rainy day. For the tune, he used something he found in a German songbook that he thought sounded patriotic. That something turned out to be a derivative of the British national anthem, “God Save the Queen.” The song quickly gained popularity despite its British origins, and until 1931, it was counted among the country’s unofficial anthems.
Compared to these five songs, how does "The Star-Spangled Banner" hold up? Did Congress make the right choice?
#6 - James Brown “Living in America.”
Oxygen deprivation, obviously. ;-) BTW; While I think the SSB was the best choice; I think it would be nice if major events occasionally alternated some of the other songs. I think people would like that, and it certainly wouldn't be disrespectful to the SSB.
#7 — GOD BLESS THE USA — LEE GREENWOOD
Hail Columbia! with Lyrics; First American National Anthem - United States of America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPlQS1pzHdA
I prefer the 4th stanza of the Star Spangled Banner. The third is good, as well.
No “God Bless America” ????
John Kerry and James Taylor: You’ve Got a Friend./s
I think that the author means "Yankee Doodle", NOT "Yankee Doodle Dandy." The former is the famous kid's song about sticking a feather in his cap and calling it "macaroni", while the latter is by George M. Cohan.
In his wonderful, Dawn’s Early Light Walter Lord praised the Star Spangled Banner for forever reminding us of that time “ when a young, weak, not always wise country was about to take its stand against the most powerful nation on Earth.” Something to always remind us of who we were and who we are.
“1.“Yankee Doodle Dandy”
I think that the author means “Yankee Doodle”, NOT “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” The former is the famous kid’s song about sticking a feather in his cap and calling it “macaroni”, while the latter is by George M. Cohan.”
That sounds right. Thanks for the clarification.
Left out of the summary is the Star Spangled Banner was traditionally used by the military as the national anthem. The US navy raised morning colors to is since 1819.
Woodrow Wilson declared it to be the anthem in 1916. Congress caught up in 1931.
To me, the Star Spangled Banner personifies the true nature of our country, born in revolution and always prepared to "Conquer we must when our cause it is just".
Huh.
Songs that were almost the national anthem... where’s “Dixie”?
How about The Bonnie Blue Flag?
I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal."
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel
Since God is marching on.
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.