Why don't we get a new National Anthem?

Question

few people know the words and fewer singers can sing it right. Rosie o'donald really screwed it up but everyone who sings it sound worse and very off key..HOw about God Bless America instead

Answer 1

(to the person above... people didn't fight and die for a song... they fought and died for a country!)

I agree-- (1) Our song is very hard to sing (it requires an octave and a half range and has some big jumps in it) (2) The words are hard to pronounce and have little meaning ("what so proudly we hailed..." "ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming"?) (3) Is only about war and a battle, and (4) there are a lot better alternatives ("My Country 'Tis of Thee", "God Bless America," "America the Beautiful" [my pick]).

Of course, it's pretty hard to change something like your national anthem once it's been established for a number of years... there is some history and tradition there. So it has more symbolic meaning than actual practical value, and we're probably not going to change any time soon.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with our National Anthem. I say.. learn it... its not that hard to learn. Here it is in its completeness:

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, 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.


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, 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!



Francis Scott Key (1779 - 1843)

Answer 3

Because my grandfather spilled his blood fighting against the Germans, my uncle lost a leg fighting the V.C. These men, and thousands of others who fought, and bleed, and hurt for this country stand up the second they hear that song, they stand, and they cry, and they feel that song in their soul. It means more to them then anything.
Why don't we? Are you going to tell my grandfather that the song that he fought for, the song that brings him to tears is going to be replaced because another song is easier to sing? I invite you to give it a chance. Because he, and thousands like him will put there uniforms back on and fight and bleed again to keep that song in tact.
We will keep the song as it is. For the men who fought and died.
B

Answer 4

why don't people just learn the words! and no matter what song it is those who are off key will still be. don't you know the history behind our national anthem.

Answer 5

yo it doesnt really matter why would you change something that symbolizes your freedom....who cares if people are off key when they sing...can you sing it perfect????? nobodys perfect so get over it its not gonna change.....

Answer 6

Too much work involved for the government.

Answer 7

I like it the way it is You have to have talent to sing it.