How the National Anthem should be sung

PittsDriver said:
I'm in agreement on respecting the flag but I think people get too hung on on respecting the symbol and not enough on respecting what it stands for and honoring those that risk the ultimate sacrifice to protect those values.
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That's how I look at it.

Substance over symbols.
 
PittsDriver said:
I'm in agreement on respecting the flag but I think people get too hung on on respecting the symbol and not enough on respecting what it stands for and honoring those that risk the ultimate sacrifice to protect those values.
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That's kind of how I feel as well. An Olympic athlete draping themselves in the flag after winning the gold is, in the athlete's heart, a sign of respect for the country, and that is what I find important.

It's not the act itself, it's the person's intent. Burning a flag in a somber ceremony with due reverence is good. Burning a flag in the street at some protest and stomping on it as it burns not-so-good.
 
PittsDriver said:
I'm in agreement on respecting the flag but I think people get too hung on on respecting the symbol and not enough on respecting what it stands for and honoring those that risk the ultimate sacrifice to protect those values.
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Agree 100%

When I first moved to Chicago there was all this outrage over an exhibit an artist displayed. IMHO art is supposed to make you think. Not just controversial topics but in other ethereal was too. But for this display it was to provoke one to think of where their freedoms came from. The display had you stepping on a US flag to sign a book supporting the Bill of Rights. The display was to make you think about where your rights derive from and what is more important to protect.

Needless to say the display did provoke conversations and shouting matches.
 
steingar said:
I always thought the Star Spangled Banner was a lousy national anthem. Crummy poetry sung to the tune of an old English drinking song, cracks the Brits up pretty good. I always preferred Irving Berlin's God Bless America.
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I would disagree about the poetry but I understand what you're saying. I also laughed at where the tune came from... not unlike many of the good old hymns we sometimes sing at church! :D
 
wpierce said:
If I'm wrong, I shouldn't be, there should be a law. It's about what the singer is singing, not about how the singer is singing it.
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If there was a law mandating faithful singing to the words of the poem then this arrangement violates that law.

Some people should not sing the National Anthem. That is a function of voice and range not spirit. Soem singers have no class and we all know that cannot be fixed although age helps.

That being said there is no need to mandate proper speed, key or arrangment for the National Anthem. The requirement is that it be done with proper respect.

Voice or not, horns or not, flag or not, fly by or not when it is performed it should be done respectfully.

Paraprhased from the Glenn Miller Story circa 1943.

"You cannot improve on a Sousa March!"

"Would you send World War I era aircraft into battle? The men today deserve the music of their time."

The Army Air Force Band under the direction of Glenn Miller version of the Stars and Stripes forever is not true to Sousa but it is inspiring.
 
wpierce said:
...

If I'm wrong, I shouldn't be, there should be a law. It's about what the singer is singing, not about how the singer is singing it.

....
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In order to preserve/protect/effectuate respect for the flag and/or the anthem, which represents America, there should be a law abridging the First Amendment, which is arguably the single most important American right (it's first for a reason)? Should we abrogate the subtance of America to protect a symbol thereof?

What's more important? A piece of cloth with some dye in it, or the Constitution itself?
 
Obi Heed Kenobi said:
In order to preserve/protect/effectuate respect for the flag and/or the anthem, which represents America, there should be a law abridging the First Amendment, which is arguably the single most important American right (it's first for a reason)? Should we abrogate the subtance of America to protect a symbol thereof?

What's more important? A piece of cloth with some dye in it, or the Constitution itself?
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Um...the "1st Amendment" was actually submitted to the States as the third of 12, 11 of which have now been ratified (Amendments I-X + XXVII, with XXVII being proposed ahead of the present I).

So, it's first by happenstance, not by design.
 
JeffDG said:
Um...the "1st Amendment" was actually submitted to the States as the third of 12, 11 of which have now been ratified (Amendments I-X + XXVII, with XXVII being proposed ahead of the present I).

So, it's first by happenstance, not by design.
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Where is it in the actual Constitution?
 
Geico266 said:
It always amazes me how inconsiderate adults are during the playing of the National Anthem. Talking, leaving hats on, pretending they don't hear it and keep walking, like Oshkosh! :rolleyes:
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You must have better ears than I. Out of all the days I've been at Oshkosh, the only time I've heard the Star Spangled Banner was when I happened to be on the flight line at the beginning of the airshow.

I'll make a point to avoid it in the future, it was the most awful rendition I've ever heard. IIRC, the announcer said that the same lady has been singing it at OSH for years. :vomit:
 
TangoWhiskey said:
Can't find a law regarding how it can or can't be sung, but I didn't realize the original had so many more verses:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner#Lyrics
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An excellent read is Isaac Asimov's "All Four Stanzas" which goes into the history quite well. Reading it brings the power out that much more.

I particularly enjoy the fourth:

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation,
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n - rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, for our cause is just,
And this be our motto--"In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
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Thank you for posting that. It's been a long time since I've read the history of this. First time I've read Mr. Asimove's version.

Best,

Dave
 
Wonderful Tim.

Reminds me how many folks have suggested the National Anthem be changed. Back in the mid 60s there was a big movement in Chi Town to change it to Do Wah Ditty by Manfred Mann! Believe it our not, a lot of folks really got caught up in that. It was easy to sing and I could remember all the words.

Of course, hormones at the time may have had some minor influence <g>

http://tinyurl.com/yccot7c

Wonder what Manfred Mann is Do Wah'en now <g>
Best,

Dave
 
That was great, but if you want to hear a lady sing the anthem that will bring tears to the eyes do a search on you tube for Karen Newman/ Detroit Red wings singer. Man can she ever hit the high notes and she is very hot.

Mike
 
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