JIM ‘PAPPY’ MOORE: By the Dawn’s Early Light
By Jim “Pappy” Moore
Memorial Day is coming soon, when we remember all those who have died in defense of the United States for over two centuries. “Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?” I have always loved The Star-Spangled Banner, our National Anthem. I have particularly loved the first sentence. The words were written by Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and amateur poet, while he watched a pitched battle for Fort McHenry, as America defended itself from Britain’s attempt to erase our independence and make us once again their colony.
There are four stanzas to the song. I’ve sung all four on occasion. When I was in the military I sang with a military chorale for almost a year and we sang all four verses. Commonly in America, we sing only the first verse, mostly at sporting events. I prefer the traditional singing of our Anthem. I do not care for the jazzing up of the song, which seems to be more and more commonplace.
The words were put to music which was popular at the time. The tune of another song was appropriated and the words of Francis Scott Key were applied to it. The vibrant lyrics paint a vivid picture of our flag flying high while the Fort was bombarded by cannon fire from British ships off the coast of Baltimore. It was September 14, 1814.
Less than two weeks prior, the British had invaded the U.S. Capital and burned the city. Our young nation was fighting for its life, thirty-three years after gaining independence. Mr. Key had an unusual vantage point from which to watch the battle between the Americans at Fort McHenry and the British sea vessels bombarding it. He was on board one of the British Navy ships blasting away at the American fortress.
Francis Scott Key was on board one of the attacking British ships because he had boarded it under a white flag of truce to negotiate for the release of American prisoners. He offered a trade of prisoners. At first the Brits refused to make the trade, but after reading letters written by British soldiers praising some of the American prisoners for treating their injuries, the British officers relented. However, while on board the ship, Key had overheard battle plans for the attack on Fort McHenry. He was therefore kept on board the British ship until after the battle had been fought.
Because Francis Scott Key was aboard the British war ship, he could not know throughout the night if Fort McHenry had successfully survived the attack. He witnessed the cannon fire throughout the night, and could see the American flag flying in the distance, though. It inspired him to take out an envelope in his pocket and write down the words as they came to him. He would complete the verses after returning to shore.
The Stars Spangled Banner did not officially become our National Anthem until 1931, when the country was in the throes of The Great Depression and greatly needed a song around which to rally. When it is sung, remember what it means.
Copyright 2016, Jim “Pappy” Moore, all rights reserved.
