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1S8
The Star-Spangled Banner.
"O say, can vou see by the dawn's early light?"
patriotic Song of tbe TUntteD Statce, 1S14.
Fraxcis Scott Key (1780-1843).
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Tune — "To Anaereon, in heaven."
by John Stafford Smith (1750-1836).
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1. O say, can you see
2. On the shore dim - ly seen
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by the dawn's car - ly light, What so proud - ly wo
thro' tho mists of the deep, "Where the foe's haughty
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at tho twi - light's last gleaming, Whoso broad stripes and bright stars
in dread si - lence re - pos - es, What is that which the breeze
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Tho naval war between Britain and tho United States in 1S12-1814 was tho occasion which gave birth to the " Star-Spangled Banner,''
It was written by Francis Scott Key, a young lawyer of Baltimore, in September, 1814, while on a visit to the British fleet, then assembled
in Chesapeake Bay for the purpose of reducing Fort M'Henry. Key had boarded the British flagship with tho object of obtaining the
release of a civilian friend who had been made a prisoner, and while detained there, he witnessed the bombardment of tho fort, and the
triumphant survival of tho American flag and garrison afterwards. This incident called forth the song which, it is stated, Key wrota
under tho inspiration of the moment in the midst of tho fight.
Like nearly all tho other American patriotic songs, "The Star-Spangled Banner" owes its time to a foreign source. It is set to a
convivial glee, dating from 1770-1775, entitled " To Anaereon, in heaven," words by Ralph Tomlinson, music by John Stafford Smith, in
English composer. Tho "Star-Spangled Banner" is probably the most generally known and esteemed American patriotic song, apart
from tho Civil War Songs and " My Country, 'tis of Theo," which is referred to in the note attached to " Godsave the Queen."