Gave Proof to the Sky That Our Flag Waved Again

The Lyrics

Sing The National Anthem

Francis Scott Key was a gifted apprentice poet. Inspired by the sight of the American flag flying over Fort McHenry the morning afterward the battery, he scribbled the initial poesy of his song on the back of a letter. Back in Baltimore, he completed the four verses (PDF) and copied them onto a canvas of newspaper, probably making more than one copy. A local printer issued the new song as a broadside. Before long afterward, two Baltimore newspapers published information technology, and by mid-Oct information technology had appeared in at least seventeen other papers in cities up and downwardly the East Coast.

This 19th century version (MP3) of the Star-Spangled Banner was performed on original instruments from the National Museum of American History's collection. Bundled by Thousand. W. E. Friederich, the music is played as it would have been heard in 1854.

The Star-Spangled Banner

O say tin you see, past the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight'due south last gleaming,
Whose wide stripes and vivid stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we sentinel'd were then gallantly streaming?
And the rocket'south red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the nighttime that our flag was even so in that location,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the country of the gratis 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,
Every bit it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now information technology catches the gleam of the morning's showtime beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,
'Tis the star-spangled banner - O long may it wave
O'er the land of the gratuitous 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 go out usa no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's 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 moving ridge
O'er the land of the free and the dwelling house of the brave.

O thus be it always when freemen shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the state of war's desolation!
Blessed with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd u.s.a. a nation!
So 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.

Francis Scott Fundamental

Key's Manuscript

This is the primeval known manuscript of Key's song. It is probably i of several drafts that Key made earlier sending the re-create to the printer.
Defense force of Fort McHenry

This is the kickoff known printing of Key's poem. Called a broadside, it was probably printed in Baltimore on Sept. 17, 1814.
The Star-Spangled Banner

The offset sheet-music issue of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was printed by Thomas Carr'southward Music store in Baltimore in 1814. Courtesy Maryland Historical Club.
A Family unit Song

During the 19th century, "The Star-Spangled Banner" became ane of the nation'south best-loved patriotic songs, performed during both public events and more personal gatherings.
Elmira Cornet Band, Ceremonious War

The vocal's popularity increased enormously during the Civil State of war. Because the song extolled the national flag—a symbol of loyalty to the Union—Northerners enthusiastically embraced information technology as a patriotic canticle.