Star Spangled Banner

Star Spangled Banner

Background

• Francis Scott Key

• War of 1812- Battle of Batimore at Fort McHenry in 1814

• Became National Anthem for the United States

Verse 1

O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,

What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,

Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight

O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Verse 2

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep

Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,

In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,

’Tis the star-spangled banner - O long may it wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Verse 3

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,

That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion

A home and a Country should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.

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

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Verse 4

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand

Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!

Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land

Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d 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 of the free and the home of the brave

Multiple Choice

This song is more...

• optimistic

• pessimistic

• empathetic

• apathetic

Multiple Choice

What is the flag a symbol of?

• freedom

• justice

• opportunity

• individualism

Multiple Choice

What effect does rhyme have on this song?

• Emphasizes the image of explosions and gunfire.

• Emphasizes the glory of death on the battlefield.

• Emphasizes the speaker's passion for the country.

• Emphasizes the duality of war depending on the cause.

Multiple Choice

What effect does this rhetorical question have?

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

• Questions whether or not America is living up to its promises

• Questions the real meaning behind the flag

• Questions the values of those who fly the flag

• Questions the purpose of patriotism

Multiple Choice

What impact does this allusion have?

And this be our motto - “In God is our trust,”

• Gives the meaning of the flag.

• Relates to the American motto.

• Enforces the idea of righteousness.

• Makes the reader feel more patriotic.

Multiple Choice

What effect does this rhetorical question have?

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a Country should leave us no more?

• Questions whether or not America is living up to its promises

• Questions the real meaning behind the flag

• Questions the values of those who fly the flag

• Questions the purpose of patriotism

Multiple Choice

What does this have to do with the American Dream?

• The liberty to fly the flag

• Questioning what the country stands for

• The opportunity to pursue freedom and justice

• Questioning the purpose of war

Open Ended

Why do you think this became our National Anthem?

Open Ended

If you had to pick another song for the National Anthem, what would it be? Explain why you chose it, citing specific American values.