What does the third verse of the Star-Spangled Banner mean?

In the third verse, Key had a special message for the enslaved people who had dared to fight for freedom—we will pursue you to get revenge: No refuge could save the hireling and slave. from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave. And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave.

What does hireling mean in the national anthem?

Like Key, the poet uses the words hirelings and slaves to describe the British soldiers employed by the King.

Is The Star-Spangled Banner 3/4 time?

Though written in 6/8 time, The Star-Spangled Banner is unusually adaptable and has been transformed into 3/4 time. Military bands marched to it in 4/4 time, the time signature used by Whitney Houston in her famous 1991 version.

What does o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming mean?

“Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?” broad: wide, referring to the stripes that run across the American flag. perilous: dangerous. ramparts: the embankments that were part of the fort's defense. gallantly: in a heroic or brave ...

What the national anthem really means?

After the war ended at night, Francis was not sure who had won the battle, but then when he saw the American flag still flying, he was convinced that the British were defeated. The anthem means that as long as the US flag is still waving America will remain a vast country of the free and the brave.

Star Spangled Banner's Racist 3rd Verse Explained

Is kneeling for the national anthem disrespectful?

Kaepernick has said on numerous occasions that the sole purpose of kneeling during the national anthem is not to disrespect the military personnel at all, but rather that his goal is to use his social platform to bring topics regarding police brutality and oppression of people of color to light.

Why do people only sing the first verse of The Star-Spangled Banner?

Key's anthem gained popularity over time, particularly among post-Reconstruction White Southerners and the military. In the early 20th Century, all but the first verse were cut — not for their racism, but for their anti-British bent. The United Kingdom was by then an ally.

What does and the rockets red glare The bombs bursting in air mean?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Clague: “Rocket” refers to the new Congreve rockets on the brand-new British bomb ships. They're the most sophisticated naval weapons on the planet at the time.

What does by the dawn's early light mean?

Key uses "hailed" to mean, "saw or took note of." The "twilight's last gleaming" is the very last bit of light before night falls, and "dawn's early light" is the first sunlight the next morning.

What does Gallant mean in The Star-Spangled Banner?

Think of the lyrics to the "Star Spangled Banner," which describe the “broad stripes and bright stars” that were so “gallantly streaming.” The flag was waving gallantly — meaning bravely and grandly — through the battle.

What is the highest note in The Star-Spangled Banner?

The song was written in the key of C, but today, thanks to its range, it's usually sung in Bb. That means the first note you sing is an F, your lowest note is a fifth below that (Bb), and your highest note will be an F, one octave higher than your starting note.

Are you supposed to put your hand over your heart for the national anthem?

Military law requires all vehicles on the installation to stop when the song is played and all individuals outside to stand at attention and face the direction of the music and either salute, in uniform, or place the right hand over the heart, if out of uniform.

Where does the national anthem come from?

On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key pens a poem which is later set to music and in 1931 becomes America's national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The poem, originally titled “The Defence of Fort M'Henry,” was written after Key witnessed the Maryland fort being bombarded by the British during the War of 1812.

When was the national anthem written?

This patriotic song, whose words were written by Francis Scott Key on Sept. 14, 1814, during the War of 1812 with Great Britain, was adopted by Congress as the U.S. national anthem in 1931.

What is the meaning of hireling in English?

Definition of hireling

: a person who serves for hire especially for purely mercenary motives.

What are the ramparts in The Star-Spangled Banner?

A rampart is a wall that is built to protect a castle, fort, or city. Francis Scott Key, who wrote the poem that became the "Star-Spangled Banner," was observing the British attack on Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814 when he wrote the famous words.

Is by dawn's early light a true story?

It is based on the 1983 novel Trinity's Child, written by William Prochnau. The film is one of the last to depict the events of a fictional World War III before the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

What does O say can you see mean?

O say can you see = Are you able to see. by the dawn's early light = in the early light that appears at dawn.

What does rockets mean in The Star-Spangled Banner?

Used by both the British and Americans during the War of 1812, Congreve rockets bursting during the Battle of Ft. McHenry created “the rockets' red glare” that inspired Francis Scott Key to compose “The Star Spangled Banner,” later adopted as the national anthem of the United States.

What War was the flag was still there?

Stat: The flag that inspired our national anthem has 15 stars and stripes. Story: It flew over Fort McHenry in the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812.

Why couldnt Mr Key see the flag?

Helplessly, Key watched the British bombard Fort McHenry. Early in the morning of September 14, Key noticed that the British had stopped firing. He strained to see whether the flag had been struck (taken down), which would mean that the fort had surrendered.

Is the last line of The Star-Spangled Banner a question?

We sing only the first stanza of Key's song, but the Star-Spangled Banner actually has four verses. Only the first stanza ends with a question mark. You can read the other four stanzas, which include plenty of exclamation marks but no question marks.

Why do we sing the national anthem before sporting events?

Once victory was evident during World War I for the U.S. and its allies, patriotism soared. Sporting events became the perfect place for the song to reach audiences and promote U.S. allegiance and loyalty.

What is the myrtle of Venus?

The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine. Venus is the Greek goddess of love and sex, and Bacchus the god of wine. This last line is an invitation to get drunk and naughty. Stafford's tune was often appropriated for patriotic songs, and Francis Scott Key would have been familiar with it.