American Literature

Module 10: Francis Scott Key

Topic: The Star-Spangled Banner (poem/song)

Sources: Encyclopedia

         World Literature

         www.famouspoems.com

Objectives: At the end of this module the students are expected to:

1.            Learn unfamiliar words;

2.            Appreciate our National Anthem;

3.            Justify the values found in the lyrics of Philippine National Anthem.

Author’s Background

                In the war of 1812, during the British bombardment of Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, Maryland, Francis Scott Key and a friend were on board a British ship to arrange for the release of a fellow American who was then being held prisoner. While the British bombarded the Fort, Francis Scott Key paced the deck of the British ship. He feared the Fort would not be able to resist the fierce attack that had gone on all day and most of the night. When about seven o’clock in the morning of the second day, as the clouds cleared and the ball of cannons ceased Key saw the American flag still waving over the Fort! The Fort had withstood the attack! In a few moments of excited relief, Key wrote this poem to express his feelings about the event. The poem was printed in Baltimore and later set to the music of a well-known tune. The poem was made a national anthem and it has remained so ever once.

                KEY, Francis Scott, author, born in Frederick county, Md., 1 Aug., 1780 died in Baltimore, Md., 11 Jan., 1843, was the son of John Ross Key, a Revolutionary officer. He was educated at St. John's college, studied law in the office of his uncle, Philip Barton Key, and began to practice law in Frederick City, Md., but subsequently removed to Washington, where he was district attorney for the District of Columbia.

When the British invaded Washington in 1814, Ross and Cockburn with their staff officers made their headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Md., at the residence of a planter, Dr. William Beanes, whom they subsequently seized as a prisoner. Upon hearing of his friend's capture, Key resolved to release him, and was aided by President Madison, who ordered that a vessel that had been used as a cartel should be placed at his service, and that John S. Skinner, agent for the exchange of prisoners, should accompany him. Gen. Ross finally consented to Dr. Beanes's release, but said that the party must be detained during the attack on Baltimore.

                Key and Skinner were transferred to the frigate "Surprise," commanded by the admiral's son, Sir Thomas Cockburn, and soon afterward returned under guard of British sailors to their own vessel, whence they witnessed the engagement. Owing to their position the flag at Fort McHenry was distinctly seen through the night by the glare of the battle, but before dawn the firing ceased, and the prisoners anxiously watched to see which colors floated on the ram­parts. Key's feelings when he found that the stars and stripes had not been hauled down found expression in "The Star-Spangled Banner," which gained for him a lasting reputation.

                On arriving in Baltimore he finished the lines which he had hastily written on the back of a letter, and gave them to Capt. Benjamin Eades, of the 27th Baltimore regiment, who had participated in the battle of North Point. Seizing a copy from the press, Eades hastened to the old tavern next to the Holliday Street Theatre, where the actors were accustomed to assemble. Mr. Key had directed Eades to print above the poem the direction that it was to be sung to the air "Anacreon in Heaven." The verses were first read aloud by the printer, and then, on being appealed to by the crowd, Ferdinand Durang mounted a chair and sang them for the first time. In a short period they were familiar throughout the United States.

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,

Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,

In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:

’Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,

A home and a country, should leave us no more?

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.

Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: “In God is our trust;”

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Activity: Vocabulary. Give the meaning of the following words:

1.            ramparts

2.            havoc

3.            desolation

4.            hireling

Discussion

1. Give the figurative meaning of each of the following:

a.            star-spangled banner

b.            land of the free home of the brave

c.             praise the Power

2. What feelings are expressed in the lines?

3. What is the general mood of the poem?

4. Describe the imagery portrayed.

5. What American values are reflected in the poem?

6. Compare and contrast the historical situation or event in which the Philippine National Anthem and that of the Star-Spangled were composed.

7. Do the National Anthem of America and the Philippines express common values? Justify your answer.

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