
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defense of Fort McHenry".
The poem was written on September 14, 1814, by a 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key.
After witnessing, the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor, during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812.
Key was inspired by the large U.S. flag, with 15 stars and 15 stripes, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the U.S. victory.
The poem was set to the tune of a popular British song written by John Stafford Smith and became a well-known U.S. patriotic song. It is known for being very difficult to sing.
Often only the first verse is sung
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
By Uirapuru5
11 ratings
The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defense of Fort McHenry".
The poem was written on September 14, 1814, by a 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key.
After witnessing, the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor, during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812.
Key was inspired by the large U.S. flag, with 15 stars and 15 stripes, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the U.S. victory.
The poem was set to the tune of a popular British song written by John Stafford Smith and became a well-known U.S. patriotic song. It is known for being very difficult to sing.
Often only the first verse is sung
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand