Should People Be Allowed to "Interpret" the National Anthem

I AM GOING TO RESPECTFULLY, BUT LOUDLY DISAGREE WITH THE WRITER IN THE POST LINKED TO BELOW. Yes, Virginia, I was shouting just then. But it was in a good cause so it's okay. I didn't use any curse words.

There are only a few places where the national anthem is routinely performed - at memorial services, political events and as the opening to some sort of a public gathering or event. Okay, i agree with you that some people go way too far in "interpreting" the anthem, but done respectfully, I see no problem with the Star Spangled Banner being interpreted in a way that reflects one's own culture or musical tastes.

We are a nation of free individuals, and the anthem was never intended to be just about soldiers. It's also the anthem of farmers, factory workers, cubicle rats and teachers; Blacks and Hispanics, Native Americans, Italian Americans, Irish Americans, cowboys, cab drivers, truckers and Asian Americans. I'd get a kick out of hearing a mariachi band do the anthem, or a bluegrass band. There's one rock band that does a thrilling version of the anthem that makes me want to stand up and shout for joy every time I hear it.

Before we turn ourselves into crochety old maiden aunts, lets remember what those soldiers, that the writer insists we "respect", died for. They didn't fight for the right to come home and be saluted and sung to by people standing at rigid attention and singing in the most boring manner possible. They fought so that their families, friends, relations and neighbors could continue to be the same glorious pack of oddballs, misfits and crazy old coots that we were when they signed up to wear the uniform and to protect us from all threats foreign and domestic. Our respect for the individual is what has made us great in the world.

So let the kids sing out loud. Let each of them interpret the anthem the way they wish. If one version seems disrespectful or self-aggrandizing, let them hear about it. But for the sake of our freedom, let's not turn the Star Spangled Banner into some rigid iron-pantsed clone of "Deutschland, Deutschland Uber Alles" for heaven's sake. I think we're better people than that.

© 2015 by Tom King