The Star Spangled Banner is a second-tier work, compared to the beauty of the words and music of "America, " which really ought to be our National Anthem.
The only problem with "America" is the tune is exactly the same as "God Save the Queen."
What about "America The Beautiful"? (Wonderful lyrics!)
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.
America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.
O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
I have no problem -- NO PROBLEM -- with the military aspects of The Star Spangled Banner, which is one of the things about the song that drives so many liberals mad. I find the song inspiring, particularly when accompanied by visuals of uniformed military personnel and finished with a flyover.
But . . . every single time I hear Ray Charles' version of America, a tear comes to my eye and I say: that song -- America (the Beautiful) should be our National Anthem.
The problem with choosing one over the other is that the songs deal with different aspects of America that are equally important: The SSB is an in-your-face, this is the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave and Don't Tread on Me and Live Free or Die and we're even coming over there to Kick the Kaiser, kind of song. Frankly, that's the one I want to hear when the flag is raised at the Olympics.
America the Beautiful is about those quiet moments when you look around and see how truly blessed we are as a nation -- thanks, in great part, to those who serve our country with a Star Spangled Banner Attitude. That's the song I want to hear to open a school PTA meeting, or possibly even a baseball game.
Does America the Beautiful has some official status -- the official hymn or something? I seem to think it does, but can't find anything with a quick i'net search.
And even as a Southerner, at the risk of inflaming the Confederates in the Attic . . . I get all verklempt over The Battle Hymn of the Republic as well.
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.
Agree. "America" is best, especially Verse 2 "...pilgrims' feet..." and Verse 3, "... heroes proved...".
Last verse of "The Star Spangled Banner" is pretty great, too -- but nobody ever sings that one.