Save the National Anthem

myself

[Former Fetus]

Let's defend our national anthem.

Having been born in a foreign country, I delighted myself going to the U.S. embassy to stare at the marines that stood guard in full dress uniform. In the summertime my parents would take the family to the mountains, but once every 4 years I had another glimpse at America. I would faithfully watch the finals for all olympic events, so as not to miss the playing of the American anthem. As I stared at the U.S. flag I could wishful dream that it was mine!

Let's move forward some 30 years to today. I was putting some clothes in the washer and could hear my husband and son settling down to watch the NASCAR race. As a feminine voice started singing the national anthem, I stopped loading the washer and put my right hand over my heart... then shuddered as if I had bitten a lemon. As soon as it was over, I stormed into the room demanding to know who was the %$$#@ singing like that. I cannot stand it when people feel it is ok to make small changes to the music. They feel they are "personalizing" the anthem, I think they are desecrating it.

Some people want to make God Bless America the national anthem. Fine, if that's what a majority of americans want, I can live with it. But as long as the Star Spangled Banner is the anthem, it should be treated with the respect due to other symbols of this great country. Those who change the music are not just changing a song, they are changing a national symbol in order to further their personal ambitions. And that is wrong.

[Former Fetus]

You don't think it is bad enough? Well, as I was ranting and raving about it, my 13-year old US-born daughter interrupted me to say that she hadn't noticed that anybody was changing anything. It hit me like a rock between the eyes: the problem is so common that an all american kid does not know how the national anthem really sounds like. That's the reason I'm posting this, because I'm enraged and desolated all at once. Thank you for letting me blow off some steam and may God bless America!

[WHATNEXT?]

Ditto here. It is like finger nails across a blackboard to hear the adulteration of our National Anthem. All those ill timed trills - all those - oh, you know what I mean.

I want it pure and simple - as written - definitely not the modern version.

[IronJack]

There's been a lot of jabber about the National Anthem. It's too violent; it praises war; it is imperialistic and culturally insensitive; musically, it is difficult to sing; it harkens back to an English drinking song, hardly a noble inspiration for our nation's hymn.

I say that's all just revisionist rubbish, one more attempt to sever us from our roots. I'm glad you find the traditional rendering to your liking, and salute your forthrightness in airing your complaint.

[baseballfanjm]

You should have heard the one at the MLB all-star game. I saw it on TV. Anastacia (the person singing it) got the words wrong. Instead of "and the rockets' red glare" she said "and the rockets gave glare". She got at least one other line wrong and maybe some others as I cringed so much I couldn't hear some. The people at the park were so shocked that they didn't make a sound until it was over and then they only gave light applause. Usually the crowd goes nuts before the song is over. I thought "what's up?". I can forgive someone for doing a bad job. Maybe their voice was off that day. But getting the words wrong? Anyway, I hate it when people say "I hate our anthem. We should change it" or "Their anthem is SOOO much better than ours." I love our anthem and think it suits the country perfectly.

[elbucko]

I agree. The stylized - and badly done - versions that have become all too common at some venues are demeaning to flag and country. Personally, I like "America the Beautiful", both melody and lyrics, but there is no mistaking the country when the band strikes up the beginning of the Star Spangled Banner.

[quietolong]

What was the change ?

[bushfamfan]

Do you mind me asking which country you were born and originally from? Just curious. I too think it is sickening how some people who sing the Star Spangled Banner are disrespectful and think many times they are only interested in self promotion and obviously don't care enough to sing it with the respect it deserves and actually learn the words! It is the perfect National Anthem because it specifically deals with the issue of fighting and defending this country and the freedoms and dying that goes along with those freedoms. People need to be reminded of it. It's the perfect anthem and they'd better not change it.

[Former Fetus]

It's hard to explain, they just change notes here and there (usually at the end of a long note)and it seems that is done for no other purpose than to show the range of their voices (or at least what they think the range is)

[Former Fetus]

I was born in Spain. The U.S. embassy in Madrid used to be on top of a hill and had a beautiful and large lawn (in downtown Madrid!!!) leading to the embassy building. The marine on duty used to stand in front of the benches where people applying for visas sat, so if I was lucky I could get a close look at what I thought was the most handsome guy I had ever seen.