Our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner..

[nighthawk]

This is one of my very favorite renditions. Please turn on your audio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ETrr...eature=related

This second one has a very special place in the hearts of all Americans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwrX-...eature=related

I noted one comment asking why Americans came to the U.K. to mourn. I guess some people cannot recognize their own family no matter where they are from. My thanks to our wonderful cousins across the pond for that tribute!

O! 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.
O! 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!

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home 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!

[Marco]

Hey Eric,
Both reditions were great. The British singing OUR anthem made it SO much more touching. As for myself, having not been born here in the US and being ever thankful for the US to accept me as a citizen, I have a special place in my heart for OUR anthem. Upon hearing it, I will rise ,remove my hat, place my hand over my heart and remain silent till it ends in respect.


Mark

[Big Bad Wulff]

If you want a treat, go to Baltimore and visit the fort for which it was written (McHenry). It is quite impressive to see and think about that night it was written.
They have a short video about it and they open the side curtains to show the outside and the flag.........still waving. Talk about a moving moment. I walked out with tears a-streaming.

[nighthawk]

Mark,
I am very proud and honored to have you as a U.S. citizen!


Big Bad Wolf,
I am ashamed to admit this but I have never been there even though I only live about 90 minutes from Baltimore. I shall endeavor to correct that this summer.

[Lew]

Thanks Hawkman
My keybord needed a good bath.

[Marco]

Eric,

Also ,what Lew said.

I might add, are we some kind of weird to tear up when we hear the National Anthem executed with the respect, passion and beauty in/with which it was composed ? Are we weird to show respect by uncovering and remaining silent during the singing of the Anthem at sporting events.\? It's sad, although I'm glad, that the pa announcer has to advise aports fans to "please rise and remove your hats for the playing of our National Anthem" . DUH!!!!








Mark

[ohiotuber]

Now BOTH of those renditions are how our National Anthem should ALWAYS be sung!!! They bring out the Patriotic side in me, as The Star Spangled Banner being played should.
Thanks for a great post Eric!
Mike

[Steve Molcsan]

Thanks Hawkman
My keybord needed a good bath.

Same here!


Steve

[Lotech]

I too, couldn't stop the flow. Didn't even try.
Thanks Eric.

[rainbowchaser]

I agree that singers often mangle the anthem in attempt to bring in their own style but occasionally you get something like this performed shortly after he returned from living abroad for several years. You can feel the emotion that brought him home. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPevE...eature=related