Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Tea Party member sings lesser-known verse of the Star Spangled Banner


Very touching. One of the benefits of the Tea Party movement that is completely ignored by the media is the reawaken interest in America’s rich history. From a renew focus on the Constitution to forgotten heroes of the American Revolution, Americans are starting to re-familiarize themselves with our nation’s origins.

That being said, it should be noted that this Marine, did not sing the second verse of the Star Spangled Banner, he actually sang the fourth.

The Star Spangled Banner
Lyrics, by Francis Scott Key:

First Verse 
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 rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air 
Gave proof thro' 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?


Second Verse 
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 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.


Third Verse
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 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 wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.


Fourth Verse
Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand 
Between their loved 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 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 video below will help you follow along.
 

In all my 45 years, only once have I heard all four verses sung and that was in grade school. I think it is time we all try to learn the full song. The song was written to lift the American spirit through adversity and the way things are going, the American spirit maybe all we will have left.

4 comments:

trinity said...

Thanks for posting this, Clifton. Honestly, I wasn't taught that there were other verses in school, and I went to grade school in the 60's. I'm going to pass on this post to a friend of mine who will be just as surprised as I am.

billdmn said...

very good. thank you

Madison said...

Yes, thank you for posting this. I had no idea there was more than one verse and I appreciate the education. I think I might just try and learn all four. I would be proud to be able to quote all four verses.

saveliberty said...

Thank you so much for posting this. The video was very moving.

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