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