words of american national anthem
What are the words of the American national anthem?
Answer:
The American national anthem is titled “The Star-Spangled Banner” and was written by Francis Scott Key. It consists of four stanzas, though typically only the first stanza is sung at public events. Below, you will find the full text of the anthem.
The Star-Spangled Banner - Lyrics
Verse 1:
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?
Verse 2:
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, oh! long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Verse 3:
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.
Verse 4:
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved 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 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!
Explanation:
- Verse 1: Describes the sight of the American flag flying over Fort McHenry after a night of battle during the War of 1812.
- Verse 2: Reflects the dawning of a new day and the sight of the flag still waving.
- Verse 3: Denounces the enemies who thought they could defeat the Americans.
- Verse 4: Speaks of victory, peace, and the trust in God to preserve the nation.
The anthem captures the enduring spirit and resilience of the American people.