Piles of Comic Books

Silver Age (1956-1969)

Star Spangled

Do You Know How "The Star-Spangled Banner" Was Written?

On September 13, 1814, as British warships pounded away at Fort McHenry in Baltimore harbor with their rockets and mortars, a prisoner on one of the ships changed America's history. He did it with a poem written on the back of a letter. When he was released from custody, Francis Scott Key set the words to a traditional melody and gave the fledgling United States its triumphant national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.

Like many great moments in art that are revealed in the times of greatest struggle, The Star-Spangled Banner is a supreme example of art appearing from the darkest of times. The Americans at Fort McHenry were able to repel a vicious British Naval bombardment with few casualties because of their preparedness and swift actions. The sight of a specially-commissioned, oversized American flag rising from the smoke the morning after the attack was the inspiration Key needed as he watched from the ship where he was held prisoner. The poem was originally titled "Defence of Fort McHenry."

The words that Key wrote for The Star-Spangled Banner just happened to match the rhythm of a popular British song, "The Anacreontic Song." The title refers to the Greek court poet Anacreon whose erotic paeans to wine, women, and song are reflected in the lyrics of the original British tune. John Stafford Smith, a member of the Anacreontic Society, which was a group of amateur musicians, is commonly credited with writing the tune. Perhaps because it was commonly known as a raucous drinking song, though, the claim of composition in still up in the air.

Two newspapers printed The Star-Spangled Banner with its original title on September 20, containing a reference to the Anacreontic song as the tune. Other papers soon caught on, and before long a music store in Baltimore published the song with lyrics and music together, changing the name to The Star-Spangled Banner. Its first public performance was by an actor in a Baltimore tavern.

Though it was made the official song to be performed at the raising of the flag, it was a long time before The Star-Spangled Banner became the National Anthem. Many other songs competed for this honor, but in 1931 a Congressional resolution named it as the official theme song for the United States. Maybe this was a response to a Ripley's Believe It or Not cartoon that let people know that the United States had no National Anthem.

Since then The Star-Spangled-Banner has gone on to be performed at military, sporting, and musical events from coast to coast. Jimi Hendrix's groundbreaking performance at Woodstock, when his guitar seemed to ooze with bombs bursting in air, was a major step forward for the reinterpretation of the tune. It was a Puerto Rican singer named Jose Feliciano, however, whose bluesy version of the song shocked audiences, who paved the way for pop versions of the song.

So the next time you're at a big game, getting ready to watch your home team rise from the ashes in victory and The Star-Spangled Banner is sung, think of Francis Scott Key as he watched the symbol of the United States rise up from certain defeat on that distant day in September 1814.

About the Author

Duane Shinn is the author of "Playing & Arranging American Patriotic Songs". His free newsletter on piano chords is available at "Piano Chords & Progressions Newsletter!"

what does these lines from the star spangled banner mean?

What so proudly we hail'd alt the twilight's last gleaming. And the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air,...
O say, Does that star spangled banner yet wave...
I need sentences that mean the same things. I need them by 9:00 tonight. Whoever answers will get an extra point
will you please give me another sentence for each line

Although it was evening we could still see.
Rockets and bombs lit up the sky.
Through it all, we looked to see if our flag was still waving.

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Indian Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Polish Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions UK Auctions

Best Match Time: ending soonest Time: newly listed Price: lowest first Price: highest first Price + Shipping: lowest first Price + Shipping: highest first

STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES 63 111 VF80    US $45.00

STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES 119 20 GD ORIGINAL OWNER $2 SHIP    US $2.00

STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES 118 15 FR GD WAR THAT TIME FORGOT ORGINAL OWNER    US $.99

lot of 5 DCs Mystery in SpaceDetectiveStar Spangled    US $19.99

Star Spangled War Stories 100 DC Comics silver age vintage    US $18.99

DC Comics Star Spangled War Stories 147 Enemy Ace DC Bronze Age Comics    US $9.99

STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES 62 40 VG 1957 DC RUSS HEATH    US $30.00

Star Spangled WAR STORIES 140 1968 DC Comics    US $17.00

Star Spangled WAR STORIES 54 1957 DC Comics    US $15.00

STAR SPANGLED War Stories 116 1964 DC Comics    US $20.00

STAR SPANGLED War Stories 122 1965 DC Comics    US $20.00

STAR SPANGLED War Stories 120 1965 DC Comics    US $20.00

Star Spangled War Stories 149 G 1970 DC SEE FREE SHIPPING OFFER    US $7.00

Star Spangled War Stories 148 G VG 1969 DC SEE FREE SHIPPING OFFER    US $12.00

Star Spangled War Stories 136 VG 1968 DC SEE FREE SHIPPING OFFER    US $26.00

Star Spangled War Stories 135 G VG 1967 DC SEE FREE SHIPPING OFFER    US $19.50

Star Spangled War Stories 134 G VG 1967 DC SEE FREE SHIPPING OFFER    US $22.50

Star Spangled War Stories 133 G VG 1967 DC SEE FREE SHIPPING OFFER    US $19.50

Star Spangled War Stories 132 G VG 1967 DC SEE FREE SHIPPING OFFER    US $19.50

Star Spangled War Stories 130 VG 1967 DC SEE FREE SHIPPING OFFER    US $26.00

Star Spangled War Stories 127 G VG 1966 DC SEE FREE SHIPPING OFFER    US $19.50

Star Spangled War Stories 126 VG 1966 DC SEE FREE SHIPPING OFFER    US $22.00

1958 coverless STAR SPANGLED WAR 72    US $4.99

Star Spangled War Stories 143 F 60 Enemy Ace 50 OFF    US $13.50

Star Spangled War Stories 140 1968 VG 45 DC Comics    US $15.99

Star Spangled War Stories 47 July 1956    US $33.99

Star Spangled War Stories 44 April 1956    US $33.99

STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES 54 1957 DC WAR COMIC    US $30.00

Star Spangled War Stories 140 FN VF Enemy Ace DC Bronze Age Comics 1968    US $19.99

Star Spangled War Stories 138 F 65 Enemy Ace 1968    US $69.99

Star Spangled War Stories 145 1969VG F 50 DC Comics    US $17.49

Star Spangled War Stories 141 1968 F 60 DC Comics    US $20.99

Star Spangled War Stories 139 1968 F 60 DC Comics    US $26.99

Star Spangled War Stories 146 DC 1969 VF 814    US $21.25

Star Spangled War Stories 141 DC 1968 VG FN 814    US $12.75

Star Spangled War Stories 138 Enemy Ace Begins    US $5.00

Star Spangled War Stories 99 1961 DC silver age comic book FAIR GOOD    US $12.00

Star Spangled War Stories 140 Enemy Ace    US $5.00

STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES 63 1957 CLASSIC WAR    US $30.00

STAR SPANGLED 39 AIRPLANE COVER    US $28.00

STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES 122 T Rex cover DC 1965 FN Shipping $199    US $16.99

Star Spangled War Stories 114 VG 1964 DC Comic    US $36.00

Star Spangled War Stories 123 dinosaur cover comic NAVY    US $7.49

Star Spangled War Stories 146 Enemy Ace comic book    US $9.99

Star Spangled War Stories 159 DC Comics Silver Age Joe Kubert Unknown Soldier    US $7.50

STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES 145 DC 1969 NM $125    US $125.00

DC COMICS STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES ENEMY ACE 148    US $24.50

STAR SPANGLED 58 FLYING EXIT    US $58.00

STAR SPANGLED 42 SNIPER ALLEY    US $38.00

STAR SPANGLED 36 A GI PASSED HERE    US $36.00

STAR SPANGLED 35 ZERO HOUR    US $20.00

STAR SPANGLED 34 KRIGSTEIN ART    US $38.00

STAR SPANGLED 30 LAST PRECODE ISSUE    US $45.00

STAR SPANGLED 28 TANK DUEL    US $47.00

STAR SPANGLED 26 BAZOOKA MAN    US $37.00

STAR SPANGLED 8 I WAS A HOLLYWOOD SOLDIER    US $50.00

Star Spangled War Stories 65 Jan 58 Early Silver Age DC Comics    US $26.00

Star Spangled War Stories 117 comic 1964    US $10.99

Star Spangled War Stories 116 comic 1964    US $9.99

STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES 141 DC 1968 VF NM $90    US $90.00

View Page:   1  2

Mug Stars & Stripes List Price: $25.00 Sale Price: $14.99 You save: $10.01 (40%)

Description Stars and...you guessed it: Stripes! This mug is covered in stars, that is, until you fill it with a hot beverage. As soon as you pour in a hot coffee (tea or hot chocolate will do nicely too) the mug's appearance quickly changes... Features Stars & Stripes mug when cold = mug shows array of white stars on blue when hot = mug transforms into Stars & Stripes flag for coffee, tea and hot chocolate!

DII Star Spangled Embroidered Pot-Mitt Gift Set List Price: $14.99 Sale Price: $12.08 You save: $2.91 (19%)

Description Show your spirit with DII's Star Spangled Embroidered Potmitt Gift Set. Features Stars embroidered Pot/Mitt, Red/White/Blue Plaid towel, Red dish cloth. Perfect host or hostess gift. Features Set includes one stars embroidered pot/mitt, with red/white/blue plaid towel, and red dish cloth tucked inside Show your spirit with this great host or hostess gift pot/mitt, plaid towel, red dish cloth Coordinates with other DII stars and stripes items 100-Percent cotton; machine wash and dry See all of dii's new spring home, gift, and seasonal products

Star Spangled Boots Die-Cut Photographic Magnet Sale Price: $6.25

Description Another good-looking fridge magnet from Paper House Productions. This flat, die-cut magnet features a glossy photographic image and a full magnetic back. Measures approximately 3.75" x 2.5". Ships in an attractive gift sleeve. Features Enjoy Paper House Productions die-cut photographic magnets on your refrigerator. This die-cut refrigerator magnet approximately measures 3.75" x 2.5" Perfect for gift giving Full magnetic backs Magnets ship in an atractive gift sleeve

	Comedy Superstars: Live Nude Girls [VHS] Sale Price: $49.99

	Star Spangled Rhythm [VHS] List Price: $14.98 Sale Price: $13.50 You save: $1.48 (10%)

	Hank Williams, Jr.: A Star Spangled Country Party Sale Price: $16.00
	Description Hank Williams, Jr.: A Star-Spangled Country Party! Features Jessi Colter, Earl Thomas Conley Gus Hardin and Waylon Jennings! PERFORMANCES: 1. Honky Tonkin'; 2. Texas Women; 3. Dixie on My Mind; 4. The Conversation; 5...

	Case Cutlery 910096STAR Star Spangled Banner Corelon Toothpick Pocket Knife with Stainless Steel Blade, Red, White and Blue Mixed Corelon List Price: $65.17 Sale Price: $50.95 You save: $14.22 (22%)
	Features Durable corelon star spangled banner handles, showing red, blue and white colors True-sharp surgical steel blades Versatile long clip blade hand crafted by skilled artisans and made in USA Officially licensed by case cutlery

Musical Wireless Portable Doorbell - Available with college fights songs and many other tunes

Description Wireless portable doorbell plays your choice of "Officially Licensed" college fight song or other tune and standard door chimes (ding dong) Other Music Mods are available Easily switch chips to play different tunes Search "extra music mods for doorbell" to get list of songs available and pricing Features Wireless/Portable Battery Operated/ 2 "AA"'s - 1 "9 volt" (not included) 100 foot remote range Easy to Install Other Interchangeable Music Mods Available

The History Channel Presents The War of 1812 List Price: $29.95 Sale Price: $13.40 You save: $16.55 (55%)

Description WAR OF 1812 - DVD Movie Features Volume 1: First Invasion: War of 1812 - Definitive chronicle of the overlooked war that ensured the dream of American democracy would survive. *The Star Spangled Banner-- was written during the attack of Ft. Mc Henry during war of 1812 Volume 2: The Battle of New Orleans -- a focus on the battle that ended the war. Biography: Andrew Jackson--led US forces in the defeat of the British in the Bat

	Cameo Photos Sale Price: $1.99

Star Spangled

Tags: anthem, banner, music, spangled, star, star spangled banner, star spangled banner lyrics, star spangled banner sheet music, star spangled banner song, star spangled banner tab

This entry was posted on Friday, December 25th, 2009 at 10:59 pm and is filed under Silver Age (1956-1969). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.