The Star Spangled Banner
US Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants Lyrics
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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 rocket's 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 wash'd out their foul footstep's 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 lov'd home and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd 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" is the national anthem of the United States, and its lyrics were written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. The song begins with the question, "O say can you see, by the dawn's early light," asking if Key can see the American flag still standing after a night of intense battle. The lyrics then describe the pride felt by witnessing the flag's survival, with its "broad stripes and bright stars" waving gallantly above the ramparts. The song vividly depicts the events of the battle, with references to rockets, bombs, and the red glare of explosions, symbolizing the resilience of the American flag throughout the night.
In the second verse, Key shifts the focus to the enemy's perspective, describing how they see the flag from a distance, partially concealed by mist, but ultimately revealed in its full glory as the morning light touches it. The lyrics further emphasize the triumph of the American flag as a symbol of freedom and bravery, contrasting it with the defeat and disgrace of the enemy.
The final verse expresses the hope that whenever free citizens stand between their beloved homes and the horrors of war, they will always emerge victorious and enjoy the peace that follows. The lyrics proclaim the reliance on God's power and trust in Him, making Him the nation's motto. The song ends with the triumphant declaration that the star-spangled banner will continue to wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Line by Line Meaning
O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
Can you see, in the early morning light, the symbol that fills us with pride?
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming,
What we celebrated with pride as the day came to an end,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
The flag with wide stripes and shining stars that remained strong through a dangerous battle,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?
Which proudly flew over the fortifications where we courageously stood guard?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
As the rockets exploded with red light, and the bombs detonated in the sky,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
They provided evidence through the dark night that our flag was still present,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
Can you still see that flag adorned with stars and stripes waving in the wind?
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Over the country of liberty and the residence of the courageous?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep
On the shore faintly visible through the haze of the ocean
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
Where the arrogant enemy forces remain in fearful silence,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
What is it that the wind, over the high mountains,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
As it unpredictably blows, partially concealing and partially revealing?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
Now it captures the brightness of the first ray of morning light,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,
Reflecting fully in its splendid glory, it shines in the water,
'Tis the star-spangled banner - O long may it wave
It is the flag adorned with stars and stripes - may it wave for a long time
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Over the country of liberty and the residence of the courageous!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
And where are those musicians who boasted and promised,
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
That the destruction and chaos of war
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Would never take away our home and nation?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution.
Their blood has cleansed the contamination of their evil actions.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
No sanctuary could protect those who fought for personal gain or were enslaved,
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
From the fear of running away or the despair of death,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
And the flag adorned with stars and stripes wave proudly in victory
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Over the country of liberty and the residence of the courageous!
O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Oh, let it always be this way when free people stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation!
Guarding their cherished home 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 preserv'd us a nation!
Let us praise the power that created and has preserved us as a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
Then we must conquer, but only when our cause is righteous,
And this be our motto - 'In God is our trust,'
And let this be our motto - 'We trust in God'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
And the flag adorned with stars and stripes shall proudly wave in victory
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Over the country of liberty and the residence of the courageous!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: David L Brunner, Francis Scott Key
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind