Francis vented out on the British in the third verse.
ORIGINAL AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM LYRICS FREE
The anthem means that as long as the US flag is still waving America will remain a vast country of the free and the brave. The "home of the brave" refers to the heroic act of the American forces who were fighting for their country.Īfter the war ended at night, Francis was not sure who had won the battle, but then when he saw the American flag still flying, he was convinced that the British were defeated. As long as the American flag was seen, the Americans believed that the British forces had not captured the fort. The only thing that gave him hope was the sight of the Star-Spangled Banner. Francis had been captured, and he could only see the red glares caused by the bombardment. The first verse talks about the "perilous fight" which refers to the Baltimore war. The national anthem has four verses which recount the day-long battle between the American and British forces referred to as the Battle of Baltimore.
Francis’s poem was recognized for official use by President Wilson in 1916 and the US Navy in 1889. The poem was set to the tune of a song known as The Anacreontic Song which was written by John Smith. He finished the poem in his room at the Indian Queen Hotel and named it Defence of Fort M’Henry. Defence of Fort MHenry (Star Spangled Banner) Lyrics: O say can you see by the dawns early light / What so proudly we hailed at the twilights last. Francis wrote the poem the next day while on the ship before being released on September 16. Mary Pickersgill and other workers made the 15 stripes and 15 stars flag which was later named the Star-Spangled Banner. In response to Dr Tohs feedback, Encik Zubir Said made adjustments to shorten the lyrics of the original City Council song and tweaked its melody to create the National Anthem that we sing today. The storm flag was lowered on September 14, 1814, and replaced by the bigger American flag.įrancis was inspired by the sight of the American flag and the US victory. 'A Malay version of the National Anthem would appeal to all races,' he stated. Francis witnessed the battle, and he saw the "storm flag" flying during the bombardment, but after the fighting stopped, he was not sure who had won. Milli Surood (Afghanistan’s National Anthem) (Pashto Romanized) Lyrics: D watan Afgnistn dai / D izat d har Afgn dai / Kor d sor, kor d ture / Har baai ye qahramn da / D. Their ship was flying a truce flag, but since they were aware of the plans of Baltimore attacks, they were captured and held captive until the war ended. History of the National AnthemĪfter the Raid of Alexandria and the Burning of Washington, Francis and John Skinner set sail on a prisoner-exchange mission, on September 3, 1814.
He was inspired by the Star-Spangled Banner which remained flying after the US forces won. Francis wrote the poem after seeing the Royal Navy bombard Fort McHenry during the Baltimore War. The lyrics of the American national anthem are from a poem titled Defence of Fort M’Henry which Francis Key wrote on September 14, 1814. The United States adopted the Star-Spangled Banner as their national hymn in 1931.