Star Spangled Banner
National Anthem - Star Spangled Banner Lyrics

The lyrics to the US National Anthem, Star Spangled Banner, tell the story of a battle that took place during the War of 1812, specifically the Battle of Baltimore. The singer is witnessing the battle at dawn as rockets, bombs and the American flag are still visible. The opening line asks the question “Oh say can you see,” which is an invitation to the audience to take a closer look at the events unfolding.

The second stanza pays tribute to the American flag, with the lines “Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming.” This refers to the soldiers’ pride and determination to defend their country even in the face of danger. The third stanza mentions the rockets’ red glare and bombs bursting in air, which were actual occurrences in the battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became the anthem. Finally, the song ends with a question, “Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave,” as rallies the idea that the American flag represents freedom and bravery.