the star spangled banner

[stephy911]

who wrote the star spangled banner?

[KEJ2000]

Francis Scott Key. It's a good song, isn't it? Here is some more for you to read, if you are interested! http://www.bcpl.net/~etowner/anthem.html

[Quizmonster]

If you are referring to the current words of the American anthem, the answer above is, of course, perfectly correct. Key wrote his first version of the words in 1805, altered to the present form in 1814, but there are at least a hundred other versions set to the same tune by other 'poets'; his just happened to catch on best.

The tune is very much older and English in origin. It was the song of the Anacreontic Society in London and their version of the words - which had nothing to do with America, of course - were penned by a lawyer called Ralph Tomlinson and published in 1778. The original music was possibly written by the Society's orchestra-conductor, Samuel Arnold, though there is no absolute proof of that. In fact, it is commonly believed that it was based on a much older military trumpet piece.

When the tune and words reached the USA, people there - including Francis Scott Key - started to write parodies of it, generally being patriotic and presumably taking the mickey out of the Brits. Key's words did not become the American anthem officially until 1931 and they still probably owe the music to some 16th century British trumpet-major!.

[KEJ2000]

And then George Harrison got revenge for England when he borrowed the tune for "My Sweet Lord" from "He's So Fine" by the Chiffons (Americans!).

[Quizmonster]

I'm not over-fond of 'The Star Spangled Banner'. Like most patriotic outpourings, it's 'way over the top. At least it's a tad - but just a tad - chirpier than the dirge we've got here in the UK! The actual 'banner' referred to was the one on the fort at Baltimore and the main reason the British withdrew was not the sight of the still-flying banner but the fact that they were supposed to be on their way to attack New Orleans and not fooling around on the east coast with lesser targets. (This information came from 'Collier's Encyclopedia'...American!)

'My Sweet Lord' has got to be one of the most tedious and repetitive tunes ever produced, so - all-in-all, KEJ - I'd say you got the best of the bargain! Cheers

[KEJ2000]

Thank you! And truth be told, I like your flag better. But let's keep that a secret between you and me (haha). Cheers!!!!