The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
The Star Spangled Banner
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their loved ones and the war's desolation
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n-rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just
And this be our motto, "In god is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
The Star Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812, is the national anthem of the United States. The song is a representation of the patriotism and nationalistic feelings of America. The first verse of the song is questioning if the flag can still be seen after the heavy attack by the British during the night. Key saw the flag waving in the morning and praised it in the song, which perpetuates the idea of American strength and resilience.
The second verse is a call for America to unite in times of war and to always hold victory and peace in high regard. The lyrics suggest that America will always win when fighting for a just cause, especially with God on their side. The final stanza reiterates the triumph of the flag, which symbolizes the triumph of the nation as a whole. The Star Spangled Banner is a song that inspires a sense of hope and unity for America, emphasizing the importance of being proud of one's country.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light
Can you see through the dim light of early morning?
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
What was it that we celebrated in the fading light of evening?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight
Whose flag with dominant stripes and shining stars braved the dangers of the war?
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
Did the flag wave bravely from the walls we guarded?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air
The sight of bright rockets and bombs exploding in the sky
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there
Showed that our flag was still flying through the night
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
Does our flag with its bright stars and stripes still fly?
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Over the nation that values freedom and courage!
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
May this always be the case when free people take a stand
Between their loved ones and the war's desolation
Protecting those they care about from the destruction of war
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n-rescued land
May the land saved by divine intervention be blessed with victory and peace
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation
Give thanks to the force that has created and maintained our country
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just
We must fight and win when our cause is just
And this be our motto, "In God is our trust"
Let our declaration be, "We trust in God."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
Our flag with its bright stars and stripes will wave proudly in victory
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Over the nation that values freedom and courage!
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: David L Brunner, Francis Scott Key
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@71superbee39
The seldom sung fourth stanza is my favorite ..
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
@AndySmith606
O say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave![12]
@davidm.rubino9761
This is the most beautiful version I've ever heard. Thank you. God Bless America!
@skylercarlson8818
A very profound hymn. The lyrics and music magnify the spirit of America and is beautifully sung by the Mormon tabernacle choir. Francis Scott key would of been happy to hear his poem sung by one of the greatest choirs in history.
@locomojoboy2
I much prefer a choir singing the anthem than ANY individual person.
@mycroft16
I'm okay with an individual person if they sing it correctly and don't fiddle about with lyrics and notation. Unfortunately that is nearly impossible to find.
@Eza_yuta
Except Whitney
@oliverf.68
Never heard my beloved national anthem sang in such a beautiful way, this was awesome.
@alexanderle1610
That's great, good on you for expressing your strong opinion.
@charlesli2951
Same! What I don’t like about individual performances is that most of them included too many changes on rhythm additional melodies and grace notes, etc. to a point that it doesn’t sound like the national Anthem anymore. I really love these traditional performances without too much changes.
@br0ckst4ng
This is how the Star Spangled Banner should be sung. God Bless the USA!
@maurodiaz206
Why can't they have it like this in the Super Bowl jeeez not a diva singing it dramatically.