Saturday, March 03, 2007

Happy Anniversary, SSB

Yes folks, it was on this day in 1931 that the US Congress passed legislation designating The Star Spangled Banner as the US National Anthem. I find it to be a totally unsingable song with words hard to remember. As to unsingable -- consider all those "stars" and "celebs" who mangle this song at sporting events. And be honest -- can you -- without really thinking about it -- recite the words off the top of your head? I am among the growing crowd who thinks that this legislation (like so much other legislation) was not really thought through and that perhaps we need to consider a different song for our national anthem. Perhaps "America the Beautiful" or "America." I would suggest "God Bless America", but that would stir the ire of some who want nothing to do with God. Perhaps even a national contest to compose a new national anthen. Maybe we could get Simon Cowell to be one of the judges LOL. And don't say, "We couldn't change our antional anthem!" Canada did it several years back. Anyway, happy anniversary, SSB. Love it or hate it, it is still the National Anthem and brings a sesne of pride and patriotism when it is performed well. Well, that's my opinion this Saturday morning. If you are reading this outside the USA, thanks for listening. Who has an opinion on this one? Let's hear it.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I still think we should have gone with "Chester"! (It was narrowly defeated - but most people do not even know of it today.)

It begins:
"Let tyrants shake their iron rods,
And slavery clank its galling chains,
We'll fear them not..."