Tag Archives: America

Whitney Houston – Star Spangled-Banner

Monthly Theme: July marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. As the son of an American immigrant following World War II, I understood the efforts that it took to make it to the United States, find a host family, learn English and pass the test to officially become a citizen. Unfortunately, many Americans have become ungrateful, unaware of the blessings of living in this country. Subsequently, I wanted to feature patriotic songs to celebrate this season of freedom and independence.

Inspiration Behind Star Spangled Banner:

The inspiration for Francis Scott Key’s anthem came during the War of 1812. Following the British bombardment during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, Francis noticed that the large American flag flying over Fort McHenry remained intact despite all the bombings.  As night fell upon Baltimore, Francis feared this fort would fall, but at dawn the American flag was present, meaning that the Americans held off the British, shifting the momentum of this war.

Biblical Application:

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate^[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit, 2 Corinthians 3:16-18.

Exegesis of Star-Spangled Banner:

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

If the British captured Fort McHenry, the American flag would have been taken down, replaced by the British flag. Seeing the American flag at dawn was reassuring to Francis Scott Key. Staring at this flag led Francis to consider what the colors and symbols stood for. Despite the battering the Fort McHenry took, the Americans stood their ground.

On the shore dimly seen thro’ the mists 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: O, long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The national anthem ends at the first stanza. This extended version highlights the War of 1812 that extended into 1814. Francis seems surprised that the British didn’t overtake Fort McHenry. With the American flag hanging at dawn was a cause for celebration. The American flag had a completely new and special meaning to Francis.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash’d out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The war of 1812 is often overlooked in History textbooks. Just because the British lost the Revolutionary War doesn’t mean they gave up. This war was full of bloodshed and loss of life. Yet those who went to battle, did so for America’s freedom and independence.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov’d homes and the war’s desolation;
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Behind the scenes, Francis believed that God was protecting America. After this battle, Francis gives credit and thanks to God for this victory. Subsequently, mottos like in God we trust was conceived. The brave soldiers who laid down their lives made America a free land, full of brave warriors.

Final Thoughts:

The National Anthem was one of the first songs that I regularly sang when I got my first microphone. While I possess an above average voice, I can’t hit every key in the Star-Spangled Banner. Yet, when America is at war or on the verge of war, this song has a deeper meaning to the families waiting for their sons and daughters to come home.

by Jay Mankus