Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Star-Spangled Banner

Twas September 14th of 1814,

Amidst the British bomb and missile attacks

That Francis Scott Key, stranded on a boat

With fear and hope within him asked:

Oh say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

After generations and many years have past

This is the question I pose to you

The very same question, which plagued Mr. Key

I ask it again today anew:

Oh say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

To us, that Flag has been much more than colored cloth

It has kept our ideals clean and clear

While raised, it represents our visions and dreams

And all that we hold dear.

From freedom, liberty, courage and virtue

To the recognition of God’s sustaining hand

Our Star-Spangled Banner in representation

Has ever flown over our land.

Do we still raise these ideals high

Unfeigned, clear, and bold

As an example for the world to see

And encourage them to seek and uphold?

Is our land still filled

With freedom’s holy light?

Do we still have the brave

Who will stand up and fight?

So, today, with fear and hope

Much like Francis Scott Key

I ask the very same question

To you and me:

Oh say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Jared Kimball Turner

July 4, 2005

Used with Permission. All Rights Reserved.

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