The Root: We Need a New National Anthem

newsbusters.org ^ | Sep. 13, 2016 | Callista Ring

[PROCON]

The self-righteous hindsight of the left exposes itself again as progressive writer Lawrence Ware suggests, “Put simply, we need a new national anthem…”

In an article published by The Root on September 12, Ware urged for the rewriting of the national anthem due to the “vicious legacy of who wrote this song and what it represents.” He referenced a Counterpunch article which argues that Francis Scott Key, the author of the national anthem, was a pro-slavery, black abusing, religious nut. To ask black people to stand for the national anthem, Counterpunch argued, is comparable to asking a Jewish person to stand for a song written by a Nazi.

The Root, Counterpunch, and other lefties have made the argument that the third stanza of “The Star Spangled Banner” clearly exemplifies Key’s disdain for black slaves. The last half of the stanza reads, “Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's 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.” However, contrary to what progressives will argue, Key is not referring to the death of slaves in general, but the British Corps of Colonial Marines, former slaves fighting for the British. He does not celebrate their deaths simply for being slaves, but because they were fighting on the side of the British during the War of 1812, also nicknamed the “second war of independence.” Thus, their loss meant an American victory.

[SauronOfMordor]

Slave could also refer to conscripted British troops, involuntarily taken by “press gangs”.

[dasboot]

I’d like to teach the world to sing.......

*Barf*

[SauronOfMordor]

He’s got a Muslim-style neck-beard.

[publius911]

progressive writer Lawrence Ware suggests, “Put simply, we need a new national anthem…”

Why don't we just adopt Canada's and change a few words?

[yarddog]

Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves!
Britons never, ever, ever shall be slaves.
Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves!
Britons never, ever, ever shall be slaves.

[DrPretorius]

“Fine Make up a new one. Just don’t expect me to sing along.”

I can understand your sentiments, but no, it’s not “fine”. We’ve rolled over for the lunacy of these sumbitches for too damn long, over and over and over. We all need to be totally through with the rolling over. It’s time to push back, real, real hard, against these scumbags, until they either get with the program or get the hell out of my country.

[xp38]

There was another Freeper many years ago who suggested an instrumental to be the national anthem which I really liked. The Theme from Peter Gunn by Henry Mancini. Dark and Dangerous was the description of it as in don’t mess with us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK-b5PLhrEI

[Trod Upon]

We need a national divorce. For you lurking leftists, that means another civil war, but this time for keeps.

[MarchonDC09122009]

Thank you for making me aware of Hail Columbia, our original Nat’l Anthem.

This background story about the Star Spangled Banner was informative, too.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YaxGNQE5ZLA

[Figment]

Let’s replace it with “Radar Love” we all know the words it’s catchy and easy to sing

[FlingWingFlyer]

Hey Sluggo! If you want a new national anthem, move to North Korea.

[Bringbackthedraft]

I could never understand why they just didn’t adopt Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America”. For those who never heard it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzG6vIE6BGc I prefer the Kate Smith version only because I grew up with it. If a song brings tears to your eyes, its gotta be the one and Smith owns this song, the original is always the best one.

[PROCON]

I totally agree that "God Bless America would be a worthy replacement.

But I prefer this more Patriotic rendition by Miss Smith.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Unsure about that. That is indeed a presidential march, originally.

My only “problem” with The Defense of Ft. mcHenry is exactly that...it is too specific. I’d prefer a more general lyric, at least.

I LOVE the “Chester”, popular march from the RevWar. Lyrics need to be tweaked as it referred to New England, and re-named. Great music that arranges very well in different ways...a true spirited march, or solemn reverential hymn, all depending on the pace.