We don’t often think of our National Anthem objectively. At least till we try to sing it! The following is a column I wrote over 20 years ago, and it still applies.
“Oh say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light? What’s so proudly we hailed, at the twilight’s last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous night, O’er the ramparts we watched, where so gallantly streaming, etc, etc.” As I write this I am 58 years old, (now will be 80 in February) have been singing this little ditty for over 50 years, and still had to ask my wife to help me with the lyrics. Any idea of what they mean? Here we are, the one remaining ’super power’ in the world, have a history of overcoming all odds, geographically are absolutely superb, and have a National Anthem which is virtually un-singable, with words few have even the slightest idea about, or what they mean. Like some stupid song, such as “Mares eat oats, and does eat oats, and little lambs eat ivy,” which was a song everyone sang when I was a kid, and no one knew what it meant. But at least it had a catchy tune!
Ask any chorus director, or Roseanne Barr, if our National Anthem is singable, even if you do hold your crotch as she so unceremoniously did while singing it one time at a ball game. Our National Anthem, commonly called “The Star Spangled Banner,” whatever that is, is virtually impossible to sing, with a range of over two octaves. It is not only virtually impossible to sing, but its music is an old English drinking song, titled, “To Anachreon in Heaven.” Do they have the last ;laugh after all? I kid you not, and even have a record of “To Anachreon in Heaven.” It has a nice swing to it. When it was turned into our National Anthem, its tempo was changed into a rhythm-less march. Ever seen anyone try to march to it? Impossible! Who was Anachreon anyway, either in haven or on earth? No one is certain. Anyone have any idea about, “The bombs bursting in air, and the Rockets red glare” Where was that supposed to have happened, and what about, “The dawn’s early light?”
Let’s examine the “Star Spangled Banner.” The words were written by Francis Scott Key, and not about the American Revolution, but about the War of 1812, which we lost, and was pointless and unpopular in the first place. It took place at Ft. McHenry in Baltimore, and had nothing whatsoever to do with the Revolution, Washington at Valley Forge, the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, or any of the other events that occurred when America was founded. Our current National Anthem has only been the official anthem since the 1930’s, so if it were changed, no hallowed tradition would be trashed or violated. I am embarrassed by our un-singable National Anthem, which is an old English drinking song, with words by a man of no historic importance, and written about a war of little note, other than we lost!
Now let me ask you, if there is any problem singing or knowing what the following words mean: “Oh beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain. For purple mountains’ majesty, above the fruited plain. America, America, God shed his grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.” What a wonderful National Anthem that would be. I get teary eyed writing those words and imagining it being performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. This is such a grand, beautiful nation, ’from sea to shining sea.’ France and England have outstanding National Anthems which make their subjects weep openly at the very sound of them. “God Save The Queen,” and “The Marseilles” are eternal. “America The Beautiful is also, and should be made our National Anthem. If we are going to change things in America, as we certainly need to; why not change that absurdity known as “The Star Spangled Banner,” into “America The Beautiful,” as our National Anthem? It is ever so much more appropriate, singable, beautiful, and descriptive!
Immigration
From the L.A. Times:
“1. 40% of all workers in L.A. County, are working for cash, and not paying taxes. This is because they are predominately illegal immigrants working without a green card.”
“2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles, are for illegal aliens.”
“3. 75% of people on the ’most wanted’ list, are for illegal aliens.”
“4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County, are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births are paid by taxpayers.”
“5. Nearly 35% of all inmates in California detention centers, are Mexican Nationals, here illegally.”
“6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages.”
“7. The FBI reports half of gang members in L.A. are most likely illegal Mexican aliens.”
“8. Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties, are illegal.”
“9. 21 radio stations in L.A. are Spanish speaking.”
“10. In L.A. County, 5.1 million speak English, and 3.9 million speak only Spanish.”
So what’s this current nonsense about an “immigration bill?” Both Democrats and Republicans are going to vote for it. Any such bill should instantly stop illegal babies from becoming instant citizens. A bill should instantly seal the Mexican border, and allow seasonal workers permission to work, and go back after the work is complete. Certainly, kids born here, should have some provision for remaining here, provided they and their parents learn English. Everyone else, go back to Mexico.