Flag Store USA –
Written by the late Isaac Asimov, in March 1991. Asimov was born in Russia, and emigrated in 1923 with his parents when he was a young child. He became an American citizen in 1928.
I have a weakness – I am crazy, absolutely nuts, about our national anthem. The words are difficult, and the tune is almost impossible, but frequently when I’m taking a shower, I sing it with as much power and emotion as I can. It shakes me up every time. I was once asked to speak at a luncheon. Taking my life in my hands, I announced I was going to sing our national anthem – all four stanzas. This was greeted with loud groans. One man closed the door to the kitchen, where the noise of dishes and cutlery was loud and distracting. “Thanks, Herb,” I said. “That’s all right,” he said. “It was at the request of the kitchen staff.”
Read the rest HERE, plus all 4 stanzas. The last one is hope for the future.
Dude was crazy smart.His SCI-FI stories blow me away !
“I hope you will look at the national anthem with new eyes”.
ABSOLUTELY, NEVER KNEW THE REST, THOUGHT IT WAS LONG ENOUGH
If you are ever near Baltimore you must visit Ft. McHenry. The story of those soldiers and what they endured is incredible.
Where was Francis Scott Key when Isaac was composing this???
…I always liked the FULL version of the Battle Hymn of the Republic too.
It really gives God the glory.
https://youtu.be/9xV67B74YCA?si=Q2nqvSobGlBE5Aol
“1. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of zhis terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Refrain:
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
2. I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read the righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
3. He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of all before His judgment seat;
O be swift, my soul, to answer Him; be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.
4. In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;
As He died to make us holy, let us die to make men free,
while God is marching on.”
https://hymnallibrary.org/hymns/battle-hymn-of-the-republic/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaxGNQE5ZLA
Similar story telling of this with a few more details…
The Star Spangled Banner is a poem best recited by a talented orator.