The Forgotten Words of Our National Anthem

When you hear the Star-Spangled Banner, what words come to mind? Most people can hum the familiar tune, but how many can sing all the lyrics?

The Star-Spangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814, during the War of 1812. Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry from a British ship and was inspired to write a poem about the American flag that still flew over the fort. The poem was later set to music and became our national anthem in 1931.

But the version we sing today is not the original version. Key's poem contained four verses, but only the first verse is commonly sung. The other verses contain lyrics that are now considered offensive or outdated.

The fourth verse contains the line, "The star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." This line is the only one that is still sung today.

Why were the other verses removed from the national anthem? There are a few reasons. First, the lyrics were considered too harsh and offensive by some people. Second, the lyrics were no longer relevant to the modern era. The War of 1812 was a distant memory, and slavery had been abolished.

Today, the Star-Spangled Banner is a symbol of our national pride. It is sung at sporting events, rallies, and other patriotic gatherings. But it is important to remember that the national anthem is more than just a song. It is a reminder of our history, both good and bad.

Here is the complete text of the Star-Spangled Banner, including the verses that are no longer sung:

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

  
  

• On the shore, dimly seen through 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 in 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!

  
  

• 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 washed 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!

  
  

• Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
  Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
  Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
  Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
  Then conquer we must, when our cause it 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!

The Star-Spangled Banner is a powerful song with a rich history. It is a song that has inspired generations of Americans to fight for freedom and justice. It is a song that reminds us of our past, present, and future.

The next time you hear the Star-Spangled Banner, take a moment to think about the words that you are singing. Remember the history behind the song, and the sacrifices that have been made for our country.

And sing it with pride.