Kid, I loved your post and will link to you on mine, which is the most uncharacteristically somber Independence Day post I've done in my four years of blogging. I figure people will need a reward for having read mine! if this comment accidentally disappears with my hitting a wrong key, I may never be back (i know, promises, promises!) xx here goes nothing.
Thanks Z, I especially liked it because it was short and very much to the point. It created a vision of struggle and sacrifice with each word, as well as gave some insight into why the lyrics are what they are. Perfect. I just think in today's world, a lot of people just don't want to read forever to get to the point. Bottom Line it Please !
Too few Americans know the story behind our national anthem. Back in the Stone Age, when I was in school, we learned all the verses as well as the history behind the song. Schools skip this now. **sigh**
AOW, Yes, it is Intentionally skipped. Kids are being taught to Not be patriotic. Find me a better country eh? Even today still, but for how much longer.
We were taught most of this story in elementary school long ago when I was a "kid," and we at least saw all the verses, because they were printed in our school songbook, but because The Star-Spangled Banner is a difficult tune -- even for opera singers -- to carry, we never actually sang all the verses. There just wasn't enough breath in our bodies.
I like the second verse best of all -- probably because it seems more real and less turgid and "ceremonial" than the others. The images are very moving:
"On the shore, dimly seen thro' the mist of the deep Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream. 'Tis the star-spangled banner. Oh! long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
But the last verse –– the one which Alas! is never sung anymore –– the most significant of the four, because it solemnly and reverently reminds us that whatever success we have had in truth we owe to God.
I believe we are in such serious trouble, because we have allowed ourselves to be persuaded by Marxian mischief-makers that it is strictly us -- we, ourselves –– who have accomplished great things. I submit that without an awareness that there is Something higher, much greater and infinitely more important than our little selves –– Something that requires our respect and allegiance –– we lose not only power but focus and any true sense of purpose and mission.
How could we possibly expect God to continue smiling on us, if we collectively turn our backs to Him?
Today is a happy day to be sure, but –– as John Adams reminded us early on –– it is also a most SOLEMN, SACRED occasion that demands the acknowledgement of the role almighty God has played in our affairs -- an aspect we've largely lost sight of in our desperate eagerness to feel "carefree."
All the best to you and yours,
~ FreeThinke
PS: I remember reading that the tune referring to Anakreon was popular as a drinking song in British pubs before it became our national anthem. History is full of delicious ironies like that. It pays to keep a sense of humor -- particularly when things get rough. - FT
Thank you Kid, I'm sending this to my Grandson, who is a thoughtful young man. It's a history lesson for those who don't know the entire piece.
For me, freedom is always worth the fight and sacrifice to maintain what has long been our good fortune in a chaotic world. May God bless and keep us on freedom's path!
Thank You Pris. It was a history lesson to me too.
Oh, it's worth the fight. Too many people have no idea the evil lurking, let alone active in the world. A young man who works in IT with me remarked to no one in particular about something going on in China - "What is up with China? In this day and age?" I said "It's called communism Jer". The way he looked at me told me he had no idea what I was talking about.
F S Key- one of my favorite poets-he wrote POWER songs - take a look at the words to Before You Lord We Bow--posted it some time back- if you cannot find it--- For FREEDOM! C-CS
3rd attempt: shorter this time :-)
ReplyDeleteKid, I loved your post and will link to you on mine, which is the most uncharacteristically somber Independence Day post I've done in my four years of blogging. I figure people will need a reward for having read mine!
if this comment accidentally disappears with my hitting a wrong key, I may never be back (i know, promises, promises!)
xx here goes nothing.
oh, and Happy 4th! xxx
Thanks Z, I especially liked it because it was short and very much to the point. It created a vision of struggle and sacrifice with each word, as well as gave some insight into why the lyrics are what they are. Perfect. I just think in today's world, a lot of people just don't want to read forever to get to the point. Bottom Line it Please !
DeleteA Very Happy Fourth to you. XXX
Too few Americans know the story behind our national anthem. Back in the Stone Age, when I was in school, we learned all the verses as well as the history behind the song. Schools skip this now. **sigh**
ReplyDeleteAOW, Yes, it is Intentionally skipped. Kids are being taught to Not be patriotic. Find me a better country eh? Even today still, but for how much longer.
DeleteHappy Independence Day!!!
ReplyDeleteChristoper, Same to you and yours. Hope you're enjoying it !
DeleteHi, Kid,
ReplyDeleteHAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to YOU!
We were taught most of this story in elementary school long ago when I was a "kid," and we at least saw all the verses, because they were printed in our school songbook, but because The Star-Spangled Banner is a difficult tune -- even for opera singers -- to carry, we never actually sang all the verses. There just wasn't enough breath in our bodies.
I like the second verse best of all -- probably because it seems more real and less turgid and "ceremonial" than the others. The images are very moving:
"On the shore, dimly seen thro' the mist of the deep
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream.
'Tis the star-spangled banner. Oh! long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
But the last verse –– the one which Alas! is never sung anymore –– the most significant of the four, because it solemnly and reverently reminds us that whatever success we have had in truth we owe to God.
I believe we are in such serious trouble, because we have allowed ourselves to be persuaded by Marxian mischief-makers that it is strictly us -- we, ourselves –– who have accomplished great things. I submit that without an awareness that there is Something higher, much greater and infinitely more important than our little selves –– Something that requires our respect and allegiance –– we lose not only power but focus and any true sense of purpose and mission.
How could we possibly expect God to continue smiling on us, if we collectively turn our backs to Him?
Today is a happy day to be sure, but –– as John Adams reminded us early on –– it is also a most SOLEMN, SACRED occasion that demands the acknowledgement of the role almighty God has played in our affairs -- an aspect we've largely lost sight of in our desperate eagerness to feel "carefree."
All the best to you and yours,
~ FreeThinke
PS: I remember reading that the tune referring to Anakreon was popular as a drinking song in British pubs before it became our national anthem. History is full of delicious ironies like that. It pays to keep a sense of humor -- particularly when things get rough. - FT
FT, I went to school 'some time' ago, and even then we only had the first verse. And turning our backs on America too, it won't turn out well.
DeleteNice story. I learned quitea bit about the history of the song.
ReplyDeleteI remember in school (choir) we sang the whole song.
Thanks for finding this.
As did I Admiral. Glad you enjoyed and and hope this is a great day for you.
DeleteThank you Kid,
ReplyDeleteI'm sending this to my Grandson, who is a thoughtful young man. It's a history lesson for those who don't know the entire piece.
For me, freedom is always worth the fight and sacrifice to maintain what has long been our good fortune in a chaotic world. May God bless and keep us on freedom's path!
I wish you a Happy Independence Day.
Thank You Pris. It was a history lesson to me too.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's worth the fight. Too many people have no idea the evil lurking, let alone active in the world. A young man who works in IT with me remarked to no one in particular about something going on in China - "What is up with China? In this day and age?" I said "It's called communism Jer". The way he looked at me told me he had no idea what I was talking about.
Happy 4th!
Happy Independence Day!
ReplyDeleteHi TCL, Hope you're having a great one there. All the best.
DeleteF S Key- one of my favorite poets-he wrote POWER songs - take a look at the words to Before You Lord We Bow--posted it some time back- if you cannot find it---
ReplyDeleteFor FREEDOM!
C-CS
Carol-CS, Yes, he has some talent. http://wordwisehymns.com/2010/08/01/today-in-1779-francis-scott-key-born/
DeleteFreedom baby !
Here's to a great 4th and a new President, next year!
ReplyDeleteAmerica! F Yea!
DeleteGood Find, Kid!
ReplyDeleteI hope your 4th of July was wonderful.
I'm melting away over here, but I did enjoy some fireworks on TV.
Bunni, Would that I could fan you and feed you cool grapes until relief arrives, but reality gets in the way. :)
Delete