Dieser Artikel von Wikipedia ist u.U. veraltet. Die neue Version gibt es hier. The Star-Spangled Banner ist seit 3. März 1931 die offizielle Nationalhymne der USA . Zur Entstehung des Textes siehe Francis Scott Key . Die Musik stammt aus einem populären Trinklied um 1800 von John Stafford Smith ( To Anacreon in Heaven ) das einst die Nationalhymne Luxemburgs unterlegte.
Äußerst spektakulär war der Auftritt von Jimi Hendrix 1969 in Woodstock bei dem er die amerikanische Nationalhymne verzerrten und jaulenden Tönen auf seiner Gitarre und gegen den blutigen Krieg in Vietnam protestierte.
Bei offiziellen Anlässen wird normalerweise nur 1. Strophe gesungen.
O say can you see by dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watched were gallantly streaming! And the rockets' red glare the bursting in air Gave proof through the night that flag was still there: O say does that star-spangled banner wave O'er the land of the free the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through mists of the deep Where the foe's haughty host in silence reposes What is that which the breeze the towering steep As it fitfully blows now conceals discloses? Now it catches the gleam of morning's first beam In full glory reflected now shines the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long it wave O'er the land of the free the home of the brave!
And where is that band who vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and battle's confusion A home and a country should us no more? Their blood has washed out their footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling slave From the terror of flight or gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph wave O'er the land of the free the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever when shall stand Between their loved homes and the desolation! Blest with victory and peace may Heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must for our it is just And this be our motto: "In is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph wave O'er the land of the free the home of the brave!
