Star Spangled Banner: Song Analysis

744 Words2 Pages

I went to the Apopka High School fall band concert on Thursday, November 19th, 2015 for my cultural event. Different artists featured throughout this concert include Francis Scott Key with the Star Spangled Banner, Peter Blair with the Woodchopper’s Ball, and Carmen Dragon with America the Beautiful. This concert was centered on giving thanks to the veterans that serve or have served our country, and I thought it would be a unique experience to attend. I was moved by all the veterans that stood up in the audience to be recognized. One of the artists I would like to take a closer look at is Francis Scott Key with the Star Spangled Banner. I believe that this song can be related back to western civilization through the Classic era with the Roman …show more content…

The Star Spangled Banner is currently America’s National Anthem which says a lot about its importance. During the time that this song was written, America was at war with the British in 1812 at the Battle of Baltimore. Francis Scott Key wrote this song after seeing the American flag still standing after the battle in which the British had failed. The inspiration this song brings to the United States proves it to be extremely patriotic and nationalistic. The first verse of the song is what most Americans are familiar with. The Star Spangled Banner provides a visual image of the war and how the flag symbolized America’s independence from Britain. I believe that Francis Scott Key was trying to communicate the importance of America’s independence through symbolism, and provide a sense of nationalism by using description of the war that America had won. The American Flag symbolizes freedom that was fought for while trying to gain independence. It states in the Star Spangled banner that America is “Land of the free and home of the brave”. This signifies nationalism in the sense that in the battle for our independence, we fought for a country that we believed in and

Show More
Related

  • The Star Spangled Banner Persuasive Speech

    805 Words  | 2 Pages

    They were attacking some of America’s forts. Instead of fighting back, the American's hung the American flag out to symbolize their freedom. All night, the British bombs, guns, and cannons exploded in the night, giving off enough light to illuminate the night sky and see that the flag was still proudly standing. The British had failed to tear down the fort’s wall, exemplifying that Great Britain could not suppress the idea of freedom for the United States. After that, a patriot by the name of Francis Scott Key, who was a lawyer and public servant wrote The Star-Spangled Banner. In it, he included “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” He wrote those words in 1814, but it still took almost a century to input it into the making of the Star-Spangled Banner. The Star-Spangled Banner has a special place in American's hearts because it shows how brave the United States was and still is. It shows that when we are united, nothing can break us

    Read More

  • Veterans Day: Never Forget Their Duty, By John Mccain

    483 Words  | 1 Pages

    In John McCain’s essay “Veterans Day: Never forget their duty” he talks about his friend ,Mike, who was in the same prison camp as he was in and showed the pride that he and his fellow prisoners had for their flag. The American Flag is the most iconic symbol of America and to express pride for The American Flag is to show pride in America itself. On page 7 paragraph 8 “Every afternoon, before we had a bowl of soup, we would hang MIke’s shirt on the wall of our cell and say the Pledge of Allegiance. I know that saying the Pledge of Allegiance may not seem the most important or meaningful part of our day now, but I can assure you that for those men in that stark prison cell, it was, indeed, the most important and meaningful event of our day”. John McCain shares with us that the most important part of their day was to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

    Read More

  • Flag-Burning is No Crime

    1153 Words  | 3 Pages

    Stripes and stars forever, right? Well, what exactly does that mean? The American Flag can be seen almost anywhere. From the high-school, to the ball park, and even in our homes, the American flag stands as a symbol of all that is good and true in America. When one thinks of the flag, they usually think of the blood that was shed for this country. It was shed so that we could have liberties, such as, freedom of speech and expression, which fall under the first amendment rights of the Constitution. However, when you think of a burning flag, what comes to mind? One might say it shows disrespect and hatred to a country that has given so much. In the case of Texas v. Johnson, Gregory Lee Johnson was accused of desecrating a sacred object, but, his actions were protected by the First Amendment. Although his actions may have been offensive, he did not utter fighting words. By burning the flag, Johnson did not infringe upon another's natural human rights. He was simply expressing his outrage towards the government, which is within the jurisdiction of the First Amendment.

    Read More

  • Is Flag Burning protected under the First Amendment?

    1567 Words  | 4 Pages

    In order to help answer this question let’s being by defining what a flag is. The proponents (veterans, Citizens Flag Alliance, and other organizations of this type) of the amendment for protection of the flag define the flag as a “cultural artifact with meaning significance, and usage determined by the particular system employing it (Guenter 18).” Some flag historians have recognized the impact of culture on the shifting significance and usage of the national banner, although no one has ventured a full-scale probe of the subject (Guenter 16). The flag in the beginning was a symbol of freedom and enlightenment. The flag design has even changed. The very first flag contained thirteen stars that were in a circle with the red and white stripes. As the nation grew so did the flag, until the flag became what we know of it today.

    Read More

  • Pledge of Allegiance: A Perfect Symbol of Hypocrisy

    2063 Words  | 5 Pages

    Every day, while facing the flag, American students exhibit their loyalty to the country by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Written in 1892, during the 400th celebration of Columbus Day, the pledge used in “ceremonies that would culminate in raising of the flag” (Pledge of Allegiance). The creation of the pledge resulted from one sole event, the Civil War. Before the American Civil War of 1861, the American flag used to be a rare sight for many people. The Civil War resulted in the rise of patriotism an...

    Read More

  • What The American Flag Means To Me Essay

    580 Words  | 2 Pages

    There have been the fights for our freedom and fights against each other. Through all of the battles, the American flag stood strong and proud. There have been many sacrificed deaths for our freedom. The flag stands for every person that ever gave up their life for the good of our country. The people that were at the front line standing proud for our nation are the real heros. That is what the flag really stands for. The everyday citizens that continue to fight while we continue our normal lives. Many people may not think of the American flag as much but it stands for so much more than just what our eyes can

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On The Confederate Flag

    730 Words  | 2 Pages

    However, some southerners would argue that the initial meaning of the Confederate flag had little association to anything (Prince, n.d.). The flag initially was viewed by many southern natives as a symbol of southern heritage and pride (World Book Student, 2016). As mentioned above, the flag was flown during the Civil War when southern states were attempting to secede from the northern states. For this reason, the flag is symbolic to southern natives because it symbolizes the beliefs of their ancestors; beliefs that many lost their lives for. Therefor, the flag presents a symbol of southern pride and

    Read More

  • Summary Of The Star-Spangled Banner

    1073 Words  | 3 Pages

    He connects the flag as more than a flag but as a symbol of the United States. “Before the bombardment in Baltimore Harbor, the Stars and Stripes had possessed little transcendent significance: it functioned primarily as a banner to identify garrisons or forts (Gelb).” Key makes a choice to refer to the flag though imagery and alliteration by describing the flag as a “star-spangled banner” and “broad stripes and bright stars.” Key also uses personification when describing the movements of the flag. He describes the flag as “gallantly streaming,” “fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses,” and “in triumph doth wave.”

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Song Over There

    725 Words  | 2 Pages

    The song was written to motivate young men to join the army, idealizing soldiers as patriotic “son[s] of liberty” who would make their fathers, girlfriends, and country proud. The US soldiers are shown as the liberators of

    Read More

  • The Fourth Of July By Audre Lorde Analysis

    1066 Words  | 3 Pages

    The story “The Fourth of July” by Audre Lorde demonstrates that she comes across a realization that she had to speak up for her rights and independence when she visited the capital city of the United States, Washington, D.C. Lorde explains how she was frustrated with the situation that occurred in Washington, D.C., which shows that she had learned the reality of the society. She writes about many things that she came across during the trip to Washington D.C. in the summer vacation. In the essay, the meanings of independence for Lorde are to fight for it and to speak up for the rights that they deserve. Lorde and her family visit many places in the capital city where they were told to leave the place because black people were not allowed there.

    Read More

  • Burning The American Flag

    880 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Courtesy of the Red White and Blue The American flag is majestic, waving in the wind, standing tall and proud. For the patriotic, respectful Americans, it brings us to our feet when the national anthem plays, mouthing the words with honor. America is a free country, often referred to as the promise land, where respect should be earned. The American flag is treated as a living object.

    Read More

  • What the American Flag Means to Me

    319 Words  | 1 Pages

    What is the American flag and what does it represent? For many Americans the flag represents freedom, pride, and justice. Our flag stands for freedom because of the many lives that had to be lost throughout history for us to be the nation we are today. The American flag stands for pride because of the many American soldiers men and women who lost their lives for us. Lastly, our flag stands for justice because in the United States no matter what crime we do we have the right to a fair trial.

    Read More

  • Star Spangled Banner

    1388 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...o captivating. Additionally, it does make an extensive number of appearances at various ceremonies and great events, such as the opening ceremonies of sporting events and national holidays such as Independence and Memorial Day. However, “The Star Spangled Banner” embodies a much broader and more abstruse, cryptic connotation. It illustrates America’s attitude of perseverance when facing seemingly indomitable adversities or unachievable ambitions. It represents America’s unfaltering faith, traditional values, and ethical laws that have come to characterize America’s individuality. It signifies America’s past, a historic reminder that unites the people and instills, in their hearts, a profound sense of patriotism and glory. Most of all, “The Star Spangled Banner” symbolizes the truth of what America truly means–“the land of the free and the home of the brave”.

    Read More

  • The Meaning of Being American

    950 Words  | 2 Pages

    Like any other country America has national symbols such as the American Flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the “Start Spangled Banner.” To be an American means that you support these things to fullest extent and hold them in the highest regard. This means that When the National Anthem is played or the Pledge of Allegiance is recited, it is our duty as Americans to stand, remove our hats and cover our hearts as a sign of the utmost respect. These symbols are a sign of our heritage. They stand for what we believe in, who we are, and where we come from. We are Americans. We believe in life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. True Americans speak the national language, English, and know that America is a one of a kind country that cannot be beat. We have worked hard over the years to become the wealthiest and the most prosperous country in the entire world. As Americans we have the right to drive a Hummers, the right to live in luxurious houses, because after all we’...

    Read More

  • Song Analysis: Fight The Power

    506 Words  | 2 Pages

    The song that I choose to do this assignment on is Fight the Power by Public Enemy. Fight the Power was written in 1989 and quickly became a street anthem for millions of youths. It reflects with issues dealing with both the Civil Rights Movement and to remind everyone that they too have Constitutional Rights. This particular song is about empowerment but also fighting the abuse of power that is given to the law enforcement agencies. It gave citizens of the U.S a more modern outlook on the many struggles that not only the African American community is up against but the other minority groups as well. The song’s message was eventually supposed to bring people together and make the world a better place, even though some teens saw it as a way

    Read More

More about Star Spangled Banner: Song Analysis

Open Document