The Star Spangled Banner

YouTube - The Star Spangled Banner - Long Version

This song was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. The Star Spangled Banner became the national anthem on March 3, 1931 by a resolution of Congress and was signed by President Herbert Hoover. This song is traditionally played prior to the commencement of public sporting events and orchestral concerts.

O 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 rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land and of the free and the home of the brave

O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Pow'r 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 and of the free and the home of the brave!