The Forgotten Verses of The Star-Spangled Banner Do you know all the words to The Star-Spangled Banner? Many people have difficulty memorizing the lyrics of the first verse of this song, which is commonly performed at sports events and other public gatherings. But did you know that there are three additional verses that we almost never hear?
How Did the Star-Spangled Banner Become the US National Anthem?
In 1814, the poet and lyricist Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to The Star-Spangled Banner, originally known as Defense of Fort MHenry. During the War of 1812, Key witnessed the attacks on Baltimore and wrote the words based on his experiences this night. These lyrics were printed in local newspapers and set to the tune of an existing song called Anacreon in Heaven, and then officially arranged by John Philip Sousa. Keys famous lyrics entered the world as a broadside ballad, or a song written on a topical subject, and printed for wide distribution.
More than a century later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed an executive order designating The Star-Spangled Banner as the national anthem, and in 1931, the US Congress confirmed the decision. The tune has kicked off ceremonies of national importance and athletic events ever since.
The Forgotten Verses
While the first verse of The Star-Spangled Banner is widely known by the American public, the last three verses are generally omitted in performances. Here are all the four verses, as they were written 200 years ago by Key:
O say can you see, by the dawns early light, What so proudly we haild at the twilights last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight Oer the ramparts we watchd 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 Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep Where the foes haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, oer the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the mornings first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream, Tis the star-spangled bannerO long may it wave Oer 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 battles confusion A home and a Country should leave us no more? Their blood has washd 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 Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their lovd home and the wars desolation! Blest with victry and peace may the heavn rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preservd 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 Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Beautiful Renditions
Despite these forgotten verses, you can still be blown away by modern renditions of the anthem. Watch the KMEA All-State Choir Finals schools sing the Star-Spangled Banner in their hotel.
Poster Comment:
The Battle of New Orleans took place after the war had ended. But communication was so slow in those days that none of the participants in that battle were aware of it.