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The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics

I
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through 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?

II

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,
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!

III

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 washed 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
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

IV

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power 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!
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Cover art for The Star Spangled Banner lyrics by Traditional

No research on this but here are some of my early theory's :)
"On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,

Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,

(the Arrogant British Army; defeated and killed, are portrayed as being on the bottom of the Atlantic. Peering towards the U.S coastline from their watery grave?)

What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

 (The deceased British Army can see glimpses of something sharply fluttering in the wind, but they can't quite make out what it is yet )

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, O! long may it wave
(They see it clearly now, it is The Stars and Stripes; The U.S. Flag)

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore?

(Where is the the Arrogant British Army now?)

That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,

A home and a country, should leave us no more?

(British pledged they would not be defeated in this nasty war and lose the country they tried to claim)

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.

(Enough said!)

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:

(Either the Patriots, hired men or slaves who died???)

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.(may it always be, that men will stand to defend freedom; even at the cost of death) 

Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

(God blessed the U.S. with victory & may the nation praise God)

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: “In God is our trust;”

(A vow)
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall waveO’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
Cover art for The Star Spangled Banner lyrics by Traditional

BEAUTIFUL song. I have not once stood for it with my hand over my heart and not shed a tear or two. I get choaked up every time I hear it. Here's to our Veterans and their special day today. Whether we agree with the wars our politicians allow our servicemen and women to fight, the sacrifice these men and women make for the love of country is remarkable. I am especiallly thankful to the men who fought the Germans and who left me with a most wonderful Jewish aunt and uncle. God bless our veterans today and every day!

 
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