Declaring that “The Star-Spangled Banner” has “got to go” as the national anthem because of its two-octave range, melodic leaps, bloody lyrics and lack of places to breathe, columnist Michael Kinsley suggests some replacements, including “America,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America” and “This Land Is Your Land” (despite its communist roots). Or, Kinsley writes: “How about Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the USA’? A bit dark for a national anthem, I suppose. The Shaker hymn ‘Simple Gifts’ (turned by Aaron Copland into a theme in ‘Appalachian Spring’)? . . . Anything would be better than those ‘bombs bursting in air.’”
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57 Comments
Make a list of possible new anthems. Then Americans vote and move on. Lots more important things to accomplish.
John Mellencamp’s “Little Pink Houses.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q17h75pMQ4
M.H.: Did you notice my suggestion on the previous Gitmo blog thread to Google an aerial map of Guatanamo Bay? You can see the “golden arches” at a main intersection? Are Happy Meals furnished
to Gitmo detainees to encourage them to spill the beans? I wonder.
I recently was in Washington at the Smithsonian American History Museum. One of the things I took in was a very well done and moving exhibit of the original flag which flew over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled banner”.
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?
Our country was forged in the fires of war and against all odds, became the symbol of freedom and hope to the oppressed in the world. Mr. Kinsley wants a kinder, gentler alternative, and we do have some good alternatives choices, such as “America the Beautiful” or “God Bless America”. But none captures the spirit and history of America like “The Star Spangled Banner”. So no, Mr. Kinsley, I think our national anthem will survive, as our nation survives as the leader of free people in this perilous world.
“JWink” –
Guantanamo is a Navy base.
That McDonald’s is for the Americans serving there.
For you to think detainees in the terrorist/torture prison on that base are munching on Happy Meals is patently absurd.
MH: Perhaps to you, “patently absurd.” But the information I googled mentioned that detainees do get “happy meals.” Keep in mind, detainees, as dangerous as they might be, are awaiting judicial proceedings. They have not been found guilty of anything.
“outlander” –
The words are bad poetry, especially the third and fourth verses.
The melody is an old drinking song. It’s like beginning every baseball game with a round of “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.”
“JWink” offers –
“…information I googled mentioned that detainees do get “happy meals.””
Well if you Googled it, it must be true.
Out: I don’t have an argument with the words to the current national anthem … they are great. Its the tune that I can’t even sing in the privacy of my automobile without my eyes bugging out and my toes curling up.
Yeah Monkey, they aren’t the best. But really, who cares about verses that are almost unknown and almost never repeated?
“outlander” –
Perhaps a national anthem should be something people are aware of. Y’think?
I posted several months ago how “Home on the Range” is a lousy state song for Kansas. Its later verses are racist as hell, against “…the Red Man….”
I suggested a real Kansas song –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wveGtAQk6Ko
I want it played right before every tip-off at Allen Field House.
“I think our national anthem will survive, as our nation survives as the leader of free people in this perilous world.”—outlander
That is if our great nation can survive it’s present ‘leader’ tearing down it’s founding principles of freedom, independence and self-reliance and turning it into a government run socialist state.
Just what we need. A wimpy, feelly, non offensive national anthem to go along with our current wimpy, President.
Just what we need. A wimpy, feelly, non offensive national anthem to go along with our current wimpy, President.
“Chrisfromactown” –
You can say that again.
Oh, wait…
The test of a tune for the National Anthem should be one that John Wayne and Lee Marvin could sing as a duet.
You might have a point, “Boxlock20″ –
After all, “The Star-Spangled Banner” has been the National Anthem since it was written between January 20, 1777 and January 20, 1881, back when Thomas Jefferson was president.
Ironic that “God Bless America” was written by an Atheist. Fundies love to sing that song to show how much more godly they are but they fail to take notice that they needed a godless person to create it. Also, it was written as an anti-war song, that probably wouldn’t make the war mongering Republicans very happy.
I think perhaps the fact that all the proposed anthems mention God, and the star spangled banner does NOT, is why they’re trying. I love the Star-Spangled Banner, I can’t fathom anyone trying to change it. Yes it is hard to sing. But that’s ok. Anything worth doing is hard anyway.
I love the Star Spangled Banner. Yes, it is difficult to sing because of the range, but it is a beautiful, stirring piece of music when played by a military band.
It’ll send chills of inspiration through the patriot and annoy the h3ll out of those who would be traitorous.
Of course, when sang by the spectacular voice of Whitney Houston, it is truly remarkable.
http://r.youtube.com/watch?v=qciWEufZ2xA
Givewn that the melody for our current anthem was stolen from a Brit drinking song deemed unsingable unless drunk, I nominate Woodie Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.” It’s supposed communist roots consist mostly of the communist party having an available mimeograph for Woodie to make songbooks on, which he sold in purely capitailist trafition.
Ok people, this is getting stupid. Most of you have forgotten your history. Too dark for our anthem? hmmmmm lets see it was written during a war in which we were Fighting for our current freedoms, not to mention any red blooded American’s chest swell with pride when they hear the first strains of music. I think those who want to change are the excepection to the rule and truly do not understand or appericate the meaning behind this great piece of history.
Who cares? Just make the thing long enough so I can get back to my seat before the ball game.
Leave it alone. The fact that it is hard to sing (I can sing it just fine, BTW) separates the wheat from the chaff. And it’s history fits America perfectly.
This is a change that will not come, Kinsley’s whining notwithstanding.
Hell, I’m surprised some corporation hasn’t bought rights to the thing and replaced it with a corporate jingle.
Off on a tangent, if I remember correctly, a few months ago “Get Fuzzy” strip was raising similar issues, comparing different countries’ anthems with the US’. How about La Marseillaise for bloodiness? Mere “The bombs bursting in air” pales to “To slit the throats of our sons,…”
outlander
Posted June 25, 2009 at 6:29 am | Permalink
I recently was in Washington at the Smithsonian American History Museum. One of the things I took in was a very well done and moving exhibit of the original flag which flew over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled banner”.
———————————–
I highly recommend actually visiting Ft. McHenry in Baltimore. (Just an hour from DC.)
Standing on that rather small Ft. McHenry jutting into Baltimore Harbor, and looking out over the water to the point where the British ships bombared the Fort all night long, you realize how amazing it was that the out gunned Americans survived.
The British cannons on the ships actually had a longer range then the cannons at Ft McHenry. So the British simply anchored out of range of the Americans and fired away with impunity.
Yet the Americans still prevailed.
It was an amazing victory of the underdogs, an emerging new Free American Country, prevailing in the midst of aggressors all around us. What better symbol for America could there be?
Or for the dumbed down Americans, a simple absurd jingle would be appropriate for a simple group of people, either:
Mary Had A Little Lamb or
Fish Heads
Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up
Yumm!
Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up
Yumm!
In the morning, laughing happy fish heads
In the evening, floating in the soup
Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up
Yumm!
Ask a fish head anything you want to
They won’t answer, they cant talk
Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up
Yumm!
I took a fish head out to see a movie,
Didn’t have to pay to get it in
Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up
Yumm!
They can’t play baseball, they don’t wear sweaters
They’re not good dancers, they don’t play drums
Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up
Yumm!
Rolly Polly fish heads are never seen drinking cappuccino in
Italian restaurants with Oriental women.
Yeeaahh
Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up
Yumm!
Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up
Yumm!
Yum!
Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up
Yumm!
Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up
Yummmm!
Yeeaahh
Using the excuse that it is a hard song to sing is getting very old. You know it’s jut that you can’t stand the fact that our country won it’s freedom by fighting for it. You don’t have the guts to stand up for your freedom and when others do, you look like the cowards that you really are.
Due to your cowardice we now have a president who is willing not just to give it away but take it away. When your children and grandchildren have to choose to fight for their freedom, I hope you can look them in the eye. Better yet, I hope they can forgive you. You had something that they won’t have and it will be at the fault of people like you.
You are so arrogant about winning your arguments, that you can’t even see it slipping away from you. Yes, “AND THE ROCKETS RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR”.
Obama had a little lamb,
Little lamb, little lamb,
Obama had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow
Everywhime that Obama went,
Obama went, Obama went,
Everywhime that Obama went
The lamb was sure to go
It followed him to school one day
School one day, school one day
It followed him to school one day
Which was against the rules.
It made the children laugh and play,
Laugh and play, laugh and play,
It made the children laugh and play
To see a lamb at school
And so the teacher turned it out,
Turned it out, turned it out,
And so the teacher turned it out,
But still it lingered near
And waited patiently about,
Patiently about, patiently about,
And waited patiently about
Till Obama did appear
“Why does the lamb love Obama so?”
Love Obama so? Love Obama so?
“Why does the lamb love Obama so?”
The eager children cry
“Why, Obama loves the lamb, you know.”
Loves the lamb, you know, loves the lamb, you know
“Why, Obama loves the lamb, you know.”
The teacher did reply
An Anthem For the Socialists:
Money For Nothing
Now look at them yo-yos thats the way you do it
You play the guitar on the mtv
That aint workin thats the way you do it
Money for nothin and chicks for free
Now that aint workin thats the way you do it
Lemme tell ya them guys aint dumb
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb
We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour tvs
See the little fa*got with the earring and the makeup
Yeah buddy thats his own hair
That little fa*got got his own jet airplane
That little fa*got hes a millionaire
We gotta install microwave ovesns
Custom kitchens deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour tvs
I shoulda learned to play the guitar
I shoulda learned to play them drums
Look at that mama, she got it stickin in the camera
Man we could have some fun
And hes up there, whats that? hawaiian noises?
Bangin on the bongoes like a chimpanzee
That aint workin thats the way you do it
Get your money for nothin get your chicks for free
We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour tvs, lord
Now that aint workin thats the way you do it
You play the guitar on the mtv
That aint workin thats the way you do it
Money for nothin and your chicks for free
Money for nothin and chicks for free
“So no, Mr. Kinsley, I think our national anthem will survive, as our nation survives as the leader of free people in this perilous world.” [posted upthread]
Musically(instrumentally) the Anthem is teriffic… Vocally, it’s a royal nightmare… Maybe if they just flash the words on the Jumbo-Tron, or include it as a hand out in the programs would be better…
It really isnt a very singable tune for the average American… but, ohhhh — when played by a good brass band…. myyy goodness… goosebumps!!!
Not sure if “God Bless America” composer/lyricist Irving Berlin was an Atheist… He was Jewish… and ironically wrote “White Christmas”
As for John Wayne and Lee Marvin singing a duet, the song, “I Was Born Under a Wanderin Star”, from “Paint Your Wagon” comes to mind…. Might include Clint Eastwood there to make a trio… LOL
#
Chas
Posted June 25, 2009 at 12:03 pm | Permalink
Not sure if “God Bless America” composer/lyricist Irving Berlin was an Atheist… He was Jewish… and ironically wrote “White Christmas”
As for John Wayne and Lee Marvin singing a duet, the song, “I Was Born Under a Wanderin Star”, from “Paint Your Wagon” comes to mind…. Might include Clint Eastwood there to make a trio… LOL
—————-
John Wayne wasn’t in ‘Paint your Wagon.’
Neither was Clint Eastwood… I didnt say they were either… The SONG is from Paint Your Wagon…. Please READ… Now you lose your soup in addition to your Kool Aide
So many words come to mind on this, but the ones that express my thoughts are short:
Not only NO but HELL NO!
I should be pointed out that Francis Scott Key didnt make a notation on his poem that it should be sung to the tune of a Brit Pub Song… Somebody else did that…
The last verse, I think it is, is very poignant… I’d like to see it used, in addition to the First verse…
#
Chas
Posted June 25, 2009 at 12:09 pm | Permalink
Neither was Clint Eastwood… I didnt say they were either… The SONG is from Paint Your Wagon…. Please READ… Now you lose your soup in addition to your Kool Aide
——————
Nothing like being constantly wrong – Clint Eastwood was in “Paint Your Wagon.’
I’m not sure about that… but Lee Marvin did the solo song of “Wanderin Star” If Eastwood was in the musical, I have forgotten about that…
writerdog
Posted June 25, 2009 at 12:12 pm | Permalink
So many words come to mind on this, but the ones that express my thoughts are short:
Not only NO but HELL NO!
=========================================
Huh??? LOL
Writer D —
I wasnt suggesting “Wanderin Star” as a National Anthem… just as a song that could be sung as a Duet by Lee Marvin and John Wayne…. Dont have appoplexy now…
IF the National Anthem would be changed… and I say IF…. My choice would be “This Land is Your Land” Having sung that song MANY times, I fail to find any indications of any “communistic” influence…
Regular is right. Clint Eastwood was in Paint Your Wagon. Just saw it a few weeks ago. Lots of singing. Who would’ve know that Clint Eastwood would be in a musical but he was.
Chas says,
“Not sure if “God Bless America” composer/lyricist Irving Berlin was an Atheist… He was Jewish… and ironically wrote “White Christmas””
Yes, he was an entertainer and wrote what would sell. His daughter said he was an Atheist. That wouldn’t be surprising being a Jew living during the era of immense anti-Semitism promoted by the likes of Billy Graham.
Nothing like being constantly wrong – Clint Eastwood was in “Paint Your Wagon.’
And the third validation. Regular is correct. Eastwood was in it. I collected every Eastwood movie he made… less “Paint Your Wagon”.
Real men don’t watch musicals ;~>
SOL… I didnt disagree with Regular… I simply said if Eastwood was in it, I didnt remember that… good grief, it was filmed in 1969… So, OK, Eastwood was in it… dont get flaymed out over it….
You sayin Lee Marvin or Eastwood arent REAL men?? They were STARS in the Musical!! LOL
SOL, BTW, my original point had NOTHING WHATEVER to do with who “starred” in Paint Your Wagon… It had only to do with what song might be good for a duet with John Wayne and Lee Marvin… which was mentioned upthread by somebody else…
My comment was the the song, “Wanderin Star” would be a good tune for Wayne/Marvin… And I also threw in Eastwood, to make a trio…
Cant you people even get your intended SNARKS right??? How shallow!!!
chass,
Put the stroke finger back up.
nnInn
Chas
Posted June 25, 2009 at 1:02 pm | Permalink
nnInn
Someone call 911. Chass is stroking out agin…
nInn
JJ – like your line of thinking..but I’m guessing the line of thinking is more along this in terms of replacing the nat’l anthem:
Barry loves me this I know
For the libruhls told me so
Little ones to him belong
They are weak, but he is strong
Yes, Barry loves me
Yes, Barry loves me
Yes, Barry loves me
The libruhls told me so
I’m sure NBC & ABC are fighting over who gets to start using it as their lead in music on their “news” informercials.
Why is this even an issue?
Borgie,
“Using the excuse that it is a hard song to sing is getting very old. You know it’s jut that you can’t stand the fact that our country won it’s freedom by fighting for it. You don’t have the guts to stand up for your freedom and when others do, you look like the cowards that you really are.”
Nope, sorry, I.m just tired of hearing all those sober people trying to hit the high notes and missing painfully. I wonder how many patriots that song has ruptured (not raptured).
Besides, wars may be big things to historians, but I’d rather prefer to think there’s more to our country than artillery.
A better nationall anthem?
“Ten Thousand Fists” Disturbed.
DFB
Posted June 25, 2009 at 1:44 pm | Permalink
JJ – like your line of thinking..but I’m guessing the line of thinking is more along this in terms of replacing the nat’l anthem:
Barry loves me this I know
For the libruhls told me so
Little ones to him belong
They are weak, but he is strong
Yes, Barry loves me
Yes, Barry loves me
Yes, Barry loves me
The libruhls told me so
I’m sure NBC & ABC are fighting over who gets to start using it as their lead in music on their “news” informercials.
———————–
Your Barry version is pretty good.
KISS principle.
The Libs should love that one!
So Jed, I’m guessing that is the only song you’ve ever heard where singers have hit the wrong notes. What, do you live in a bubble or something? Or maybe it is you that you’re hearing hitting the wrong notes. Of course, we can’t go around challenging singers to hit high notes, that would be a ashame.
I know, we can get singers to come on American Idol and if they get the big pass from Simon, they will be allowed to sing the National Anthem at the ball games so the rest of you won’t be offended anymore. Because heaven forbid if ANYONE gets offended. We might have to call in the “offended police”.