Anthems Quotes

The 3rd verse is rarely sung because of its reference to the then existing and generally accepted system of indentured servitude and slavery.

The poem’s words later became the words to The Star’s Spangled Banner which was adopted as our national anthem. There are some who have objected to this inclusion in this collection on the grounds that Key, as the Washington District Attorney, very harshly suppressed the anti-slavery movement that was

Belrin had actually written an earlier version during World War I

The notion that a the first line of a national anthem should be focused on the survival of the nation is explained by the history of countries that have and have not existed having been overrun and occupied and absorbed into other nations. That fear exists centuries later. See Poland for another example {642422}.

The notion that a the first line of a national anthem should be focused on the survival of the nation is explained by the history of countries that have and have not existed having been overrun and occupied and absorbed into other nations. That fear exists centuries later. See Ukraine for another example {642421}.

The song glorified plantation slavery and was insulting to many modern Virginians including some legislators. See {590370}. It became the State Song in the 19th century when Virginia itself was much more racist than it was in 1997. However, the racists in the state wanted to keep the old traditional song. They were joined by Virginia cultural sentimentalists and historical preservationists causing the legislature a dilemma. By an act of the legislature the song was “retired” so that it would never be played or sung at official state functions and yet it was recognized as a cultural part of Virginia’s history.

The national anthem is the familiar “God Save the King (Queen)”

The song glorified slave plantations and has slaves expressing happiness in their status. The Legislature of Virginia came up with a very creative solution to this terrible throwback to the era of plantation slavery. See {590369}.

First published as a poem in the Atlantic Monthly, February 1862