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The
Star Spangled Banner Lyrics: FAQ's (Frequently asked
questions for kids)
The
most Frequently asked questions about the Star Spangled
Banner Lyrics are:
● Who wrote the Star
Spangled Banner lyrics? Francis
Scott Key (1779-1843)
● Why was the Star
Spangled Banner written?
Francis Scott Key said that the lyrics were "...
the first time that someone had put down in words their
feelings about their country and the flag"
● Where was the Star
Spangled Banner written? The
lyrics were written at Fort Henry, Baltimore, in
Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
● When was the Star
Spangled Banner written?
The lyrics were written following the US victory at the
Battle of Baltimore, during the War of 1812 on September
14, 1814
● When was the Star
Spangled Banner officially made the national anthem?
The Star
Spangled Banner Lyrics were officially made the national
anthem on March 3, 1931 by President Herbert Hoover who
signed an act into law
● What is the meaning
of the Star Spangled Banner lyrics? The
meaning of the Star Spangled Banner Lyrics reflect the
patriotic feelings of Francis Scott Key when he saw the
enormous US flag flying over Fort Henry
● What are the Star
Spangled Banner lyrics? The
Star Spangled Banner Lyrics are detailed below together
with the meaning of the lyrics
The
Star Spangled Banner Lyrics for kids: What was the
Inspiration to the Star Spangled Banner Lyrics?
Francis
Scott Key was inspired to write the lyrics to the 'Star
Spangled Banner' after he had been detained by the
British and had watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry
during the Battle of Baltimore on the night of September
13-14, 1814. Unsure of the outcome of the battle he
looked towards Fort Henry dreading to see the Union Jack
flying over the fort. Instead, he saw the 'Star Spangled
Banner' proudly flying and realized that the brave
Americans had been victorious.
Refer
to The
History of the Star Spangled Banner.
Star
Spangled Banner Lyrics for kids
The Star Spangled
Banner Lyrics provides interesting History Facts and
important information about this important symbol of
America that transpired during the presidency of the 4th
President of the United States of America.
The
Star Spangled Banner Lyrics for kids: The Words and
Meaning of the Star Spangled Banner Lyrics
The
Words and Meaning of the Star Spangled Banner Lyrics are
detailed verse by verse, line by line.
The
Star
Spangled Banner Lyrics and Meanings for kids
Star
Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 1
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?
Meaning
of Star Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 1
● The
flag that flew over the fort was enormous. The commander
of Fort Henry, Important George Armistead had
commissioned Mary Pickersgill to make "a flag so
large that the British would have no difficulty seeing
it from a distance"
● The
flag could be seen from several miles away and Francis
Scott Key was saying that it could be seen in the last
light before nightfall and the first light at dawn
● The
'perilous fight' was the Battle of Baltimore during the
War of 1812
● The
Star Spangled Banner was streaming over the ramparts
(battlements) of the fort
● The
"rocket's red glare" and the "bombs
bursting" used alliteration to describe the cannon
fire pounding from the British navy and the cannons
firing from the fort (one of the ships was armed with a
rocket launcher)
● The
angry red glow from the cannon fire enabled Americans to
see their Star Spangled Banner was still flying - the
British had not captured the fort and hoisted the Union
Jack
● The
Star Spangled Banner was waving over the 'land of the
free' - a reference to the fight for Independence that
had resulted in freedom from the tyranny of the British
● The
'home of the brave' lyrics reflect the heroic exploits
of Americans to defend their country
● The
War of 1812 was popularly known as the 'Second War for
Independence'
● Meaning
of Star Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 1
Star
Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 2
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!
Meaning
of Star Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 2
● Francis
Scott Key was describing the perspective from the land
as American looked out to hazy images of the British
ships
● The
'foe's haughty host' lyrics describe the vessels of the
arrogant British
● The
lyrics 'dread silence reposes' express the view of the
ships that look quiet and still as if resting, but are
actually a hive of terrifying activity
● Francis
Scott Key describes the high vertical position of the
flag over Fort Henry in the lyrics 'o'er the towering
steep' and the movement of the flag blowing in the wind,
concealing then revealing the Star Spangled Banner
● The
sun comes out and clearly shines on the Star Spangled
Banner, 'in full glory' lyrics express the grandeur of
the flag and a religious connotation
● Francis
Scott Key almost makes the Star Spangled Banner lyrics
'cheer' using the patriotic words "Tis the
star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave. O'er the land
of the free and the home of the brave!"
● Meaning
of Star Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 2
Star
Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 3
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!
Meaning
of Star Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 3
● Francis
Scott Key describes the British as arrogant and boastful
in the lyrics 'that band who so vauntingly swore'
● He
is venting his anger at the British with the "foul
footsteps' pollution" lyrics inferring that the
British poisoned the ground on which they walked
● But
the poison and corruption had been washed away by the
blood of the British
● The
Star Spangled Banner lyrics "the hireling "
refers to the British use of Mercenaries (German
Hessians) in the American War of Independence
● The
Star Spangled Banner lyrics "...and slave" is
a direct reference to the British practice of
Impressment (kidnapping American seamen and forcing them
into service on British man-of war ships). This was a
Important cause of the War of 1812
● Francis
Scott Key then describes the Star Spangled Banner as a
symbol of triumph over all adversity
● Meaning
of Star Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 3
Star
Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 4
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!
Meaning
of Star Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 4
● Pride
and Patriotism is the theme of the last verse
● Francis
Scott Key uses emotive words such as 'freeman', 'home',
'blest', 'victory', 'triumph', 'conquer' and 'peace' in
the Star Spangled Banner lyrics
● He
was a deeply religious man and his words reflect his
belief that God was on the side of the Americans
● He
refers to the American nation and fighting for a just
cause
● The
words "In God is our trust" combines the
concepts of religion and patriotism and are believed to
be the origin of the official motto of the United States
"In God we trust". The unofficial motto of 'E
pluribus unum' which was adopted when the Great Seal of
the United States was created in 1782
● Star
Spangled Banner Lyrics Verse 4
The
Star
Spangled Banner Lyrics and Meanings for kids
Star
Spangled Banner Lyrics for kids - President James
Madison Video
The article
on the Star Spangled Banner Lyrics provides an overview
of one of the Important events of his presidential term
in office. The following James Madison video will give
you additional important History Facts and dates about
the political events experienced by the 4th American
President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1809 to
March 4, 1817.
Star
Spangled Banner Lyrics
● Interesting
Facts about the Star Spangled Banner Lyrics for kids
● Meaning
of Star Spangled Banner Lyrics
● The
Star Spangled Banner Lyrics, a Important event in US
history
● James
Madison Presidency from March 4, 1809 to March 4, 1817
● Fast,
fun, interesting Facts on the Star Spangled Banner
Lyrics
● Francis
Scott Lee and the Star Spangled Banner Lyrics
● James
Madison Presidency and the Meaning of Star Spangled
Banner Lyrics for schools, homework, kids and children
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