Credit: Bing Images
Did you know that the American National Anthem is one of the most difficult anthems to sing? Here in America, we don’t generally say, National Anthem; we refer to it as, The Star- Spangled Banner. Last week, on March 3rd we celebrated Star- Spangled Banner Day.
It was written as a poem “Defense of Fort McHenry” by 35 year old Francis Scott Key in 1814 and was later set to the tune of “To Anacreon In Heaven”, a popular British Gentleman’s Club song. The Star-Spangled Banner, as we know it, was officially used by the Navy in 1889. It was one of the most popular patriotic songs in the United States and 42 years later it became the National Anthem. Although it has four stanzas, we only sing the first verse.
Thanks to Francis Scott Key, the amateur poet and lawyer for penning our National Anthem that I enjoy singing. If you were to ask my children what songs their mother like to sing, they might tell you Christmas songs and the Star-Spangled Banner!
This month, I also have personal celebration –I am celebrating the anniversary of my first year of blogging. I wrote my first post on March 1, 2013. My heartfelt thanks to all of you who visit my blog, click that like button, and take the time to make a comment. I am indebted to you for keeping my blog alive. I am grateful for the inspiration you give me through your comments and your writings on your own blogs. My life is richer because of you, my blogging friends. Thank you! Thank you!
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Congratulations on your first year of blogging (I celebrated mine a month or so ago!) Lovely to share the journey with you x
Thank you, Gemma. Congrats on your first anniversary as well😄
Wordpress is misbehaving again. Your comment was awaiting approval and I don’t why.
Another blogger told me the same thing – it must be a problem at my end. I’m having a gazillion problems at my end. The secret is…. don’t switch to self-hosted WordPress unless you have an inkling of what you’re doing!!
Hope you get the issues resolved soon. Thanks for the tip about self hosted WordPress.
Happy Star-Spangled Banner Day and congratulations to your first blogging anniversary. The flag and it’s song represents all the brightest hope and dreams we all have on our hearts.
Thank you, IT. I agree with you. I hope to keep on blogging:-)
Congratulations on your one year anniversary, Elaine! I’m so happy we’ve connected through our blogs. I look forward to many more years of blogging.
Since I can’t carry a tune, I struggle with any song. 🙂
Thank you, Jill. I look forward to blogging with you too! I bet you can sing Happy Birthday 🙂
happy 1st year blogging!!! may you have many more
Thanks, Eddie! I want to have many more blogging anniversaries. I will continue to count on your visits and comments 🙂
Oddly enough I just read a book that had the defense of Fort McHenry in it. I’m glad I never have to sing this song in front of a group. Every sporting event I go to, I hold my breath when the singer gets to the tricky part.
Quite a coincidence, TBM. I only sing the anthem with little ones 🙂 When I get to the tricky part, I often stop for a moment and then continue 🙂
Elaine, congratulations on your first anniversary – I was not aware we started blogging about the same time when I first found you – you seemed so practised! 🙂
It is a wonderful activity isn’t it – I am most pleased to have found you and shared a little of your life and the things that matter to you over this past year. xoxo
Thank you, Pauline. I am also glad that we are sharing in each other lives through our blogging. I am enjoying it and hope to continue for a long time. Oh, that’s a nice compliment…you thinking that I’ve been blogging longer 🙂
xoxoxo
Happy first anniversary! What a wonderful post to write on your special day. You taught me things I did not know, and yet I DID know how difficult it is to sing the Star-Spangled Banner. An elementary school music teacher decided we all would learn to sing it for a ceremony at the national cemetery in my hometown (Ft. Scott, KS). We all were able to learn the words, but putting those words with the music (especially the high notes) was close to being a disaster!
You made me smile when I read the “disaster” part:-) We are often more critical of ourselves- I am sure it sounded fine. I agree that the high notes are tough! I admire those who can take it all the way. Thanks for the congrats 🙂 I also learn a lot from reading your blog.
Congratulations on your anniversary. You might be the only person I know of who enjoys singing the Star-Spangled Banner. If you can sing it, more power to you 🙂
Thanks, Dan!
I see the Star-Spangled Banner as a personal challenge:-)