“Ladies and Gentlemen…our National Anthem”

A radio station often plays as background music at one of our local restaurants. Not very loud but enough for me to hear, usually.

I was there at noon one day, and suddenly the Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem, started playing. Instinct made me jump to my feet and render a very smart military salute. (old Air Force training)

Shortly, a couple of other guys stood up, but most diners stayed seated and looked at me like I might be an alien or something.

From early elementary school, I was taught to stand at attention, face the flag or the music, and proudly render the proper civilian or military salute.

That anthem has always meant something to me, proud to be an American. It still does.

According to the Library of Congress, “On July 26, 1889, the Secretary of the Navy designated ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ as the official tune to be played at the raising of the flag. And during Woodrow Wilson’s presidency, it was chosen by the White House to be played wherever a national anthem was appropriate. Still the song was variously criticized as too violent in tone, too difficult to sing, and, by prohibitionists, as basically a drinking song.

But on its side, ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ had a strong supporter in John Philip Sousa who, in 1931, opined that besides Key’s ‘soul-stirring’ words, it is the spirit of the music that inspires.’ That same year, on March 3, President Herbert C. Hoover signed the Act establishing Key’s poem and Smith’s music as the official anthem of the United States.”

So, how do people feel about our national song? I asked a few.

“A little tough to sing due to range, but it always gives me goosebumps when done well,” said Chris H.

Bob R. opined, “It’s actually one of my least favorite anthems. Mostly unsingable and the martial theme kind of puts me off. Much prefer Canada and France anthems.”

Tim J.: “For me, when I hear it played, I am compelled to rise to my feet. My mind usually goes to scenes of past Memorial Days…. a granite monument carved with the names of those who gave their lives in service to their country, and aging men grasping rifles which they fired in a ragged salute to their fallen brethren.

It reminds me that freedom and democracy have come with a price and that all true patriots must be vigilant to protect it from those who would take it away.”

Bruce K. said, “Never much cared for it. To me, it was a poem set to the music of a drinking song. In band, we used to call it ‘The Scar-Strangled Banana.’
Would have preferred either “God Bless America” or “America the Beautiful.”

Rich L., a retired Army officer, says, “I always remember the National Anthem played by military bands at military ceremonies. Always stirring.”

“My most vivid memory is that of Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock. He performed it over 50 times, prior to Woodstock, but that was his most vocal focus, reflecting the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement,” said Steve S.

Personally, I like the anthem. However, I prefer a large band playing the instrumental version, up-tempo. I can’t sing it; I would prefer the words be less militaristic and I cringe when I hear someone doing their own “interpretation” when singing.

Some take eight minutes to sing it, “warble” every note, and make it sound like a lullaby or funeral dirge.

“While I don’t like the ‘interpretations,’” Frank C. commented, “I have to say I like the national anthem in all its interpretations. The words and basic tune are fine. More importantly, I enjoy the way various artists interpret those words and tune. The anthem represents the rights of Americans, and the right to exercise those rights.

The anthem itself is the embodiment of the freedom it represents. You can sing along or listen quietly. It can be sung with reverence, or sarcasm.

You can stand, you can kneel, you can even turn your back on the flag because the anthem symbolically says you have the freedom to do so.

The anthem is a celebration of America and all the things that America is.”

I suspect we’ll hear it a lot around America’s 250th. How do you feel about our national anthem? We welcome your comments.

Francis Scott Key asked, “O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave. O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” Thankfully, the answer so far is yes!

Contact Rick at dave@tri-citytimes.com