The Wrong Key

Today is the 240th birthday of Francis Scott Key.  He led a full life but is known for one thing--writing "The Star-Spangled Banner." He was inspired by watching the American flag flying over Fort McHenry after a night of bombardment in the War of 1812. (They really couldn't come up with a good name for that war.)

The words were adapted to the melody of "To Anacreon in Heaven" and it grew in popularity over the years.  Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it the national anthem in 1916, and Congress--with the help of Herbert Hoover--made it official in 1931.

I've written in the past how I think we've got a poor national anthem, musically.  It's got a wide range which makes it hard for people to sing, and the melody is kind of dull.  But let's talk about the words. They're not so great either.

I don't mean to rain on Key's parade, especially on his birthday, but is this really the best we can do?  First, it's a contemplation on the flag, which is a fine symbol, but only a symbol--I'd rather have lyrics more specifically be about the country, and the freedom therein.

As poetry (or even lyrics) I find the wording a bit strained and awkward.  Most people who sing it have no idea what it's about.

It's also four verses, though people only know the first. Which may be just as well--do we really want to be singing "Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution"?

And worst of all, since we only sing the first verse, it doesn't really add up to a complete song.  The final line is "Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

In other words, we end our national anthem with a question.  The last verse answers it in the affirmative--with an exclamation point--but who knows that?  It's not like we sing that line as we're leaving the ballpark.