ESPN Guest Rails Against The Star Spangled Banner as 'War Anthem'

[Pericles]

Originally titled "The Defense of Fort McHenry", it is most definitely a militaristic song. It makes weapons of war sound like a fireworks show (And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air...) with nary a mention of the death and destruction that surely followed.

How would you compare it to say ..... France

La Marseillaise

Ye sons of France, awake to glory,

Hark, hark! what myriads bid you rise!

Your children, wives and white-haired grandsires.

Behold their tears and hear their cries! (repeat)

Shall hateful tyrants, mischiefs breeding,

With hireling hosts, a ruffian band,

Affright and desolate the land,

While peace and liberty lie bleeding?

To arms, to arms, ye brave!

The avenging sword unsheath,

March on, march on!

All hearts resolv'd

On victory or death!

Now, now, the dangerous storm is rolling

Which treacherous kings confederate raise!

The dogs of war, let loose, are howling,

And lo! our fields and cities blaze! (repeat) alt: And lo! our homes will soon invade!

And shall we basely view the ruin

While lawless force with guilty stride

Spreads desolation far and wide

With crimes and blood his hands embruing?

To arms, to arms, ye brave!...

With luxury and pride surrounded

The vile insatiate despots dare,

Their thirst of power and gold unbounded,

To mete and vend the light and air! (repeat)

Like beasts of burden would they load us,

Like gods would bid their slaves adore,

But man is man, and who is more?

Then shall they longer lash and goad us?

To arms, to arms, ye brave!...

O Liberty, can man resign thee

Once having felt thy generous flame?

Can dungeons, bolts or bars confine thee

Or whips thy noble spirit tame? (repeat)

Too long the world has wept, bewailing

That falsehood's dagger tyrants wield,

But freedom is our sword and shield,

And all their arts are unavailing.

To arms, to arms, ye brave!...

I left out the part about blood running lake water in the furrows of the fields ....

 

[green73]

I got a thank you back from Blackistone.

 

[IDefendThePlatform]

I do picture the destruction.

Then you're part of a very small minority of Americans who do when they hear that song. Willing to bet most picture this:

 

[IDefendThePlatform]

How would you compare it to say ..... France

La Marseillaise

Ye sons of France, awake to glory,

Hark, hark! what myriads bid you rise!

Your children, wives and white-haired grandsires.

Behold their tears and hear their cries! (repeat)

Shall hateful tyrants, mischiefs breeding,

With hireling hosts, a ruffian band,

Affright and desolate the land,

While peace and liberty lie bleeding?

To arms, to arms, ye brave!

The avenging sword unsheath,

March on, march on!

All hearts resolv'd

On victory or death!

Now, now, the dangerous storm is rolling

Which treacherous kings confederate raise!

The dogs of war, let loose, are howling,

And lo! our fields and cities blaze! (repeat) alt: And lo! our homes will soon invade!

And shall we basely view the ruin

While lawless force with guilty stride

Spreads desolation far and wide

With crimes and blood his hands embruing?

To arms, to arms, ye brave!...

With luxury and pride surrounded

The vile insatiate despots dare,

Their thirst of power and gold unbounded,

To mete and vend the light and air! (repeat)

Like beasts of burden would they load us,

Like gods would bid their slaves adore,

But man is man, and who is more?

Then shall they longer lash and goad us?

To arms, to arms, ye brave!...

O Liberty, can man resign thee

Once having felt thy generous flame?

Can dungeons, bolts or bars confine thee

Or whips thy noble spirit tame? (repeat)

Too long the world has wept, bewailing

That falsehood's dagger tyrants wield,

But freedom is our sword and shield,

And all their arts are unavailing.

To arms, to arms, ye brave!...

I left out the part about blood running lake water in the furrows of the fields ....

I'm glad you brought up France. Apparently they don't play their national anthem before the vast majority of sporting events:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20121113105652AAQvLLv

Seems to help make Blackistone's exact point.

 

[oyarde]

Then you're part of a very small minority of Americans who do when they hear that song. Willing to bet most picture this:

If I am a small minority , that just means most have much to learn.