[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: The Star-Spangled Filk Song

[K G]

Haggridd <jkusalavagemd at yahoo.com> wrote:
--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Caius Marcius" 
<coriolan at w...> wrote:
     - CMC


> And it's too bad that few ever know more than the first stanza of SSB – the second stanza has always been my favorite – you may recall during the War of 1812 - on the evening of Sept. 13 1814 to be exact - Baltimore lawyer Francis Scott Key was briefly held in custody on a  British ship during their attack on Baltimore. All through the night, Key remained uncertain as to the course of the battle (after all, the Brits had just burned down our Executive Mansion and looted the Capitol a few weeks before) – but at sunrise he could see the 
> American flag still flying over Fort McHenry. He published the poem in a local paper on Sept. 20.
> 
> 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 on the stream:
> 'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
> O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
> 
> Get all four verses here:
> 
> http://www.contemplator.com/america/ssbanner.html
> 
>     - CMC

I was given all four verses to copy out many times for punishment in grammar scholl, for which I am grateful.  I never fail to be deeply moved by our National Anthem.  Great Britain, the hyperpower of the nineteenth century, has continued to occupy U.S. soil in violation of the Treaty of Paris of 1783.  She kidnaps our sailors under the guns of the capital ships of the day: the ships of the line.  She has invaded our capital, eaten the State dinner laid out by the White House-Elves, and burnt down the White House.  She is attacking Fort McHenry with the state of the art missiles of the day:  Congreve rockets.  How can we endure this?  The only indication Francis Scott Keyes has is the flag flying above the fort.  So long as it still remains flying, the British have failed in their mission.  All night the light and noise of the artillery and the Congreves keep everybody from sleeping.  Perhaps, despite the noise, some have dropped off for forty winks.  Will the Stars and Stripes--
15 of each-- still be visible after the all night barrage?

This is what comes to mind at the beginning of every baseball game.  
I am so lucky.

Happy Birthday to us, 
Happy Birthday to us, 
Happy Birthday, United States of America, 
Happy Birhtday to us.

Haggridd



I have had a family member in every war that this great country has been in beginning with the revolutionary war (including both sides of the war of northern aggression) up to now (I have a nephew that was just promoted to Lt Col and has been sent to the Pentagon!!!

Have a great 4th of July all and know that courage and fighting for what is right is what it is all about!!!

moonmyyst


		
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers!

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]