The full “Star Spangled Banner” had four verses.The actual flag described in the song remains on display at the Smithsonian National Museum in Washington, D.C.
Key wrote the poem in 1814 but it took over 100 years for the poem and music to become our national anthem. According to the Library of Congress it’s more likely that the jubilant members of the society “frequently lifted not only their voices but also their cups in song.”Ħ. Legend has it that the original tune Smith wrote was used as a drinking song by the Anacreontic Society. “Anacreon in Heav’n” was a British drinking song - maybe. John Stafford Smith wrote "Anacreon in Heav'n," which made its way across the Atlantic and had become the basis for new American patriotic songs like "Adams and Liberty" and "Jefferson and Liberty” before the end of the 18th century.ĥ. In the mid-1760s, a London society of amateur musicians called the Anacreontic Society commissioned a young church musician to write music for text written by the society’s president. The tune for our national anthem is actually British. Only after it was set to music did it become known as “The Star-Spangled Banner.”Ĥ.
The poem was originally called "Defence of Fort M'Henry" and was printed in handbills and newspapers. Ironically, the melody Key assigned to accompany the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner was a popular English drinking song called To Anacreon in Heaven. (Photo: Public domain/Illustration: CPR/Brad Turner) 3. The British detained him on the ship while they bombarded Fort McHenry in Baltimore for an entire day.Īt dawn the next morning, after the British failed to take the fort, Key noticed the American flag waving and was inspired to write his poem.
He had been brought aboard the British ship HMS Tonnant to negotiate the release of prisoners during the War of 1812 with the British. Key wrote the poem in a moment of absolute inspiration. It took major sacrifice to maintain our countrys freedom in its early days, and this song tells. He was a respected lawyer and amateur poet. This is the incredible story of the Star Spangled Banner. There’s no other song that brings out more patriotic feelings than “The Star-Spangled Banner.” And while you probably know all the words, did you know these fun facts about our national anthem?ġ. Whole baseball stadiums of people will stand, take off their hats, put their hands over their heart and sing along - well, at least to the last line. (Photo: Public domain/Illustration: CPR/Brad Turner) At some point during the Fourth of July weekend you will no doubt hear the national anthem.