If you do research on the Internet, you will learn that there are two verses to the song. Why do we only sing the first verse? In my opinion, the second one is more powerful. Is it a matter of tradition?
2006-08-19 08:25:52 · 16 answers · asked by Oklahoman 6 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
We have to get the game started and the advertisers want to get a commercial in before the kickoff.
2006-08-19 08:39:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Star Spangled Banner
(The Defense of Fort McHenry)
September 20, 1814
By Francis Scott Key
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, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
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, now conceals, now 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.
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 wiped out their foul footstep's 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.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
2006-08-19 08:32:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
People sing the Star Spangled Banner before sporting events, and social events. It is just suppose to be a QUICK patriotic song, not a song that is like 4 minutes long. Besides, I don't think anybody even knows the other verses.
2006-08-19 08:32:04 · answer #3 · answered by playdoh1986 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's tough enough just getting through the first version - can you imagine what a singer would have to do to get through the whole song? Personally, I think it should be changed to "America the Beautiful." At least its not set to the tune of an old English drinking song and just about anyone can sing it. And its not a war song.
2006-08-19 08:50:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Americans do not have the voice and with great variety of events people can do, we often miscalculated the power of the National Anthem. I would prefer 2 verses.
2006-08-19 08:34:22 · answer #5 · answered by classicalmusic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its too long! Plus most of the time when we sing it, its at some some sort of event like a sports game so it would take to long!
2006-08-19 08:34:28 · answer #6 · answered by Jessica Velasquez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because most can't even remember the words to one
verse. that doesn't say much for our patriotic fervor
does it. our pres keeps waving the falg and all that, i
wonder if he remembers all the words to even the first
verse, not to mention the second.
2006-08-19 08:34:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the first one is easier to remember... I had the second one memorized a few years ago, but now I don't remember it @ all...
2006-08-19 08:34:11 · answer #8 · answered by Danielle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tune is so challenging, isn't one verse enough?
2006-08-19 08:31:23 · answer #9 · answered by barbiehow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Funny how it chokes me up just to read it let alone here it sung.
GOD BLESS THE USA!
2006-08-19 08:40:03 · answer #10 · answered by bill a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋