Posted on 04/12/2006 11:20:33 AM PDT by Pyro7480
...Given its circumscribed ceremonial function, and the general shortage of non-sports public gatherings these days, "The Star-Spangled Banner" doesn't get around the way it used to.... A recent Harris poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans don't even know the words.....
The enthusiasm of new Americans for the national anthem only underscores the indifference and ignorance of the rest of us. This gap between what the anthem could be and what it is has prompted the National Association for Music Education, a teachers' group, to create The National Anthem Project to try to reinvigorate "The Star-Spangled Banner."
There is, however, another point of view: Some of us feel that the current national anthem is not worth saving....
In "Angels in America," Tony Kushner's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, an African-American character named Belize suggests that the difficulty was part of the composer's plan. "The white cracker who wrote the national anthem knew what he was doing," Belize insists. "He set the word 'free' to a note so high nobody can reach it."
Over the years, there have been numerous suggestions for songs that could replace "The Star-Spangled Banner." My suggestion, since I have a weakness for American popular songs, and a sentimental attachment to immigrant success stories, is "God Bless America,"....
There are two obvious objections to "God Bless America," of course: the first two words of the song, "God" and "bless." I'll admit this is a problem, although I feel sure that only the twitchiest atheists would object to the nonsectarian deity that "God Bless America" — and "In God We Trust," for that matter — evokes. The song is literally a prayer, but it's far gentler than one a crazed theocrat might concoct....
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I like the Cicero quote in your profile. :-)
I like the "Star Spangled Banner," and don't have much trouble singing it. I confess that I no longer remember the verses beyond the first.
Although I love "America the Beautiful," I'd prefer to keep our current national anthem. It is a reminder that freedom is won in blood.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1176715/posts
If the author of the times piece had taken the time to read this, he might have had more understanding
Me too... that's why I stole it. ;)
Thank you.
The SSB is rich in history, has a nice tune which is NOT difficult to sing (if you remember to start low enough), and the words are great.
"America" is fine for peacetime - it's a sentimental hymn to beauty, peace, and brotherhood - but when the chips are down, give me Francis Scott Key's masterwork.
I think the most well-known melisma is "Angels We Have Heard on High," on the word "Gloria."
I sometimes mess with people's heads by singing the wrong verse, makes 'em look at you funny.
I like the fourth one too, but the third one is the one that really makes the liberals' hair stand on end. And that is good for them.
If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there’s pride in every American heart,
and it’s time to stand and say:
I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.
Not to worry, as soon as illegals all get the vote, they'll change the national anthem to whatever Mexico has.
THAT's because to the NY TIMES....FREEDOM fighters like our MILITARY are overrated....what a bunch of idiots!
Your confusing that with "My Country Tis Of Thee".
America the Beautiful is a great song, but frankly, it's not majestic enough for a national anthem.
See my posts #31 and #35.
You can't be serious. I'm as patriotic as the next guy, but Lee Greenwood's song drives me up a wall. The patriotic lyrics can't mask the crappy pop melody (and, frankly, Greenwood's need to rip off "from sea to shining sea" isn't a good testimony to his talent).
Salute...
http://www.bcpl.net/~etowner/anthem.html
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