Patriotism on Independence Day; A Reflection On Performances of Our National Anthem

As an American I am from time to time required to watch a performance of the our National Anthem. It is both perplexing to me and mesmerizing that anyone who is in the entertainment business, that primarily receives their lucrative endowments from America, could not know our National Anthem. It was a requirement of every child when I was in school. We had to sing the Star Spangled Banner often as well as say the Pledge of Allegiance every single day we were in school.

It was considered quite unpatriotic not to know the words to the Star Spangled Banner and or to refuse to say the pledge. I remember once child refused and he was expelled from school. Now days loyalty to one’s country seems to be a novelty item on the verge of extinction however, there have been some really awful performance of the Star Spangled Banner and some really great ones. I would prefer if high paid performers be required to memorize the words to songs they sing especially when they are national anthems.

I haven’t heard anyone from England screw up “God Save the Queen.”. But I digress as that is “My Country Tis of Thee”.

The Start Spangled Banner has a unique and telling history which Americans gave their lives for emancipation from the British Royal Navy at Fort Henry in Chesapeake Bay in the war of 1812. Originally written by Francis Scott Key who witnessed the brutal bombardment of Fort Henry as a poem entitled Defence of Fort Henry. It was set to a tune by written by John Stafford Smith of the Anacrenotic Society with a range between 1 and 1 ½ octaves. Later it was re-titled the Star Spangled Banner. Funny Hollywood couldn’t remember such a patriotic song which emancipated them so they may live so well.

Really is it so much to expect our performers to remember the words to our National Anthem?

Worst Performances of the American National Anthem

These I list in no particular order as the worst performances of all time. Each of these performers would benefit greatly from citizenship classes.

There is nothing more beautiful than a performer who nails the National Anthem perfectly. It is both thrilling and wonderful. I must be frank this is not an exhaustive list by any means.

On Independence Day I believe it is important to remember how hard we had to fight to establish our freedom from the British and how much we sacrificed. And while we are all friends now it is important that America maintain its sovereignty. OUr History is exceptionally important especially in these times. Remember those who fought and died so we could be free from British oppression should never be forgotten. I am half British so I can make this argument without any biased. Britain is better off with a sovereign America as well. And we honor those performers who have sung our National Anthem with pride and patriotism on this Independence Day.