Our National Anthem

In my English class this past week, we had to write arguments as to whether we agreed with two articles on whether our national anthem should be changed to America the Beautiful, and if not, what should it be changed to. Our response was only supposed to be 250 words max, but I wrote an 800 word essay instead. The two articles I am arguing against are Star-Spangled Earache: What So Loudly We Wail by Caldwell Titcomb and Star-Spangled Banter by Hendrik Hertzberg. I am posting this because I feel strongly against these people and their pathetic excuses for arguments. Anyhow, here is the paper.

Star-Spangled Banner Argument Response

To begin, I’ll address the four paragraphs that annoyed me the most. In these paragraphs Titcomb and Hertzberg rant on about how the song is too hard to sing because it’s in twelve different keys. Two things come to mind, A) why did they have to dedicate four paragraphs just to say that, and B) Boo-hoo. Cry me a river. Titcomb even goes as far as to describe people getting embarrassed because they can’t sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” well. Apparently the majority of Americans are professional singers now? If you’re in a group of people, big or small, singing your country’s national anthem with a sincere heart, nobody cares how well you sing it.

Before I get into other topics, I would like to note that both authors mock the title of the “Star-Spangled Banner” in the title of their articles. Even if you don’t agree that the song should be the national anthem, the song does represent your country. You should still respect it.

The only other thing I wish to talk about is the complaint of the “Star-Spangled Banner” being “too militaristic” and “praising war”. This probably annoys me the most, as it seems that the writers have clearly forgotten our nation’s history. The poem does not praise war, it simply tells it as it is. Our soldiers had to endure great hardships. How can you even claim to appreciate their actions if you do not even have a small understanding of what they had to endure and why they endured it? Take this quote from Robert E. Lee, “It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it.” Nobody likes war, and nobody wants to go die either. But one thing they do know is that they want to keep the people they love living in a safe, free country. You may not like war, but it happens, and there’s nothing you can do to change the reality of what war is.

As far as being “too militaristic”, well, just read your history book for cryin’ out loud. We didn’t just waltz in and then all the sudden “Hey! We’re America!” Albeit the first “American” settlers weren’t military, but the newly formed settlements were lacking order. What was the response to the chaos? A militia was formed and rules were set up. From there we can continue to see the branching out from a basic militia to the armed forces and law enforcement. Also, as our nation grew (along with others), there were forces that threatened to take away our peace and freedom. World War I and World War II anyone? Our country didn’t just stay free and peaceful magically. We had to fight for it. On top of that, recall from your history books, if you will, WWII. While the war was terrible, our nation had to band together to get through it. There was major rationing of food and materials. One could argue that the living conditions for the average citizen back then were “horrible” or rough, but that was the price we had to pay. Was it worth it? Damn right it was worth it. When the war was over, we remained free, and even today, we still remain free. If we did not go and fight, our freedom would be lost.

To end this long rant, sure the “raindrops and roses” view of things is more appealing to the average person, but this is not reality. “America the Beautiful” currently is our national hymn, as it should be. It has the styling and sound of a hymn. Although, in my opinion, most hymns are boring and slow paced. I have nothing against “America the Beautiful”, but to me, it should not serve as the national anthem. Our nation still exists today because of the sacrifice that was made by the men and woman who protected their country, and “America the Beautiful” does not do justice in recognizing their sacrifice. It is too easily meshed and forgettable the “homage”, if it can be called that, it pays to them. And I will be damned if we as a people forget about them and forget why we’re still here.

For listening comparison:

Star-Spangled Banner: (1942 version is best. Might have to download to listen to.)

The Star-Spangled Banner

America the Beautiful:

America the Beautiful

As a side note. American the Beautiful has an even lesser chance of becoming the national anthem because of the use of God’s name. While our country is rooted on Christianity, our nation is trying to stray from our roots by attempting to omit anything that has the word God in it. That, however, is a completely separate subject.

You may obtain the paper here: Star-Spangled Banner Paper

~ by connway on May 30, 2008.