Star Spangled Banner
franc mosbaugh Lyrics

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Oh, 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 rocket's red glare
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there
Oh say does that star-spangled
Banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free
And the home of the brave

Overall Meaning

The "Star Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. Written by Francis Scott Key in 1814, it became the country's official national anthem in 1931. The song describes the fortitude of Americans during the war of 1812, particularly during the Battle of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. It is a symbol of the country's strength, resilience, and pride.

The first verse begins with the rhetorical question "Oh, say can you see," challenging the listener to look towards the sky at dawn and witness the events of the previous night. Key's vivid imagery takes us back to the Battle of Fort McHenry where he saw the American flag, with its "broad stripes and bright stars" being flown through the "perilous fight" against the British forces. He recounts the sight of the "rocket's red glare" and the "bombs bursting in air" that gave him a glimmer of hope that the flag he saw through the night was still standing. In the final lines of the song, Key expresses his pride and hope that the flag continues to wave, representing the nation's ideals of freedom and bravery.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, say can you see
Are you able to perceive with your own eyes

By the dawn's early light
In the early hours of the morning when the sun is about to rise

What so proudly we hailed
What we greeted with great admiration and pride

At the twilight's last gleaming
In the moment just before the sun disappears below the horizon

Whose broad stripes and bright stars
The large red and white lines and shining stars that make up the flag

Through the perilous fight
During the challenging and dangerous battle

O'er the ramparts we watched
We looked out over the protective walls

Were so gallantly streaming
Were waving proudly and with bravery

And the rocket's red glare
The bright explosions caused by rockets

The bombs bursting in air
The sound of bombs exploding

Gave proof through the night
Provided evidence even during the darkness of night