The Star Spangled Banner | Teen Ink

The Star Spangled Banner

January 19, 2010
By NathanH BRONZE, Mesa, Arizona
NathanH BRONZE, Mesa, Arizona
2 articles 0 photos 0 comments

They ask, “Should we keep the star spangled banner as our national anthem?” But I ask what kind of question is that?! Of course we should! It's the only song that suits our country best, “Whose broad stripes and bright stars . . . [are] so gallantly streaming?” that's ours! It shows spirit, respect, and that America is solid.




This beautiful song shows all of our country's spirit, even when we Americans don't. In one of the songs verses it states, “And this be our motto: In God is our trust” it is true that we should trust him because he's the creator of you and I, and whatever he does, it's for the good of us. Our flag, or as our anthem puts it “The Star Spangled Banner”, represents America, so when it says in the song, “The Star - Spangled Banner: Oh, long may it wave,” it could also mean long live America.




The National Anthem also shows respect for the fallen, and the ones that are currently fighting for our country, or even helping neighboring countries. We should take time to think about all those men fighting when the song was written and about all the men and women fighting and serving our country today. They work very hard “thro' the perilous fight”. A lot of them go on missions on foot so they see “That havoc of war and the battles confusion” doesn't help when they get back into the real world either. Another section of the song says that “their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.” So why not honor the ones that have selflessly served our country?




America has had its ups and downs, but it has stayed a solid country for a long time and this song is part of that glue that holds it together. Even through “the rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air . . . our flag is still there”. Stating “The land of the free” shows not only that we're free, but that we worked for it, we've been down that dark road. We as a country also know when enough is enough, we don't fight from anger or pride: “Conquer we must when our cause is just”. Neighboring countries have modeled their country's constitution and government after us because we are a solid country.




Our National Anthem couldn't be traded for any other one; it fully explains us, even if it was about a particular fight. I think Francis Scott Key was a very inspirational writer, he could never know how much impact his poem has made on America. When singing this song, think about all that happened for him to be able to write these words, and how true it is almost two-hundred years later.



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This article has 9 comments.


loveamerica said...
on Nov. 6 2012 at 11:04 pm
this is intersting essay because i have never though about the national anthem...like that...but this essay has changed my mind

MountainGirl said...
on Mar. 5 2010 at 12:40 pm
MountainGirl, Boulder, Colorado
0 articles 0 photos 15 comments
I agree, the principles the US is built upon are quite remarkable, especially since they are strong enough to allow for a lot of different opinions and orientations. I'm not sure that I agree that to be a good American you have to be Christian , claim that the American way is the best or only way, or support war.

on Mar. 4 2010 at 5:55 pm
lilyxfiore GOLD, Smithville, Ohio
11 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
The greatest truth in life is that those you love, cherish or simply trust the most are irrevocably destined to break you the most.

As a fellow patriot I agree with this completely. The Star Spangled Banner is a sign that prayer and beleif works--it was written when the American Flag was still seen flying over Fort McHenry. That is too much history and too much signifigance for America to have any other anthem.

ladyluck+ said...
on Feb. 6 2010 at 10:53 am
This should be sent around the country and read by everyone! A good reminder that this is the greatest country on earth and many men and women are willing to fight for our right to be free. God Bless America.

rwag34 said...
on Feb. 5 2010 at 5:19 pm
I agree with this young man? We are a Christian Nation. God and country are important to us and we must not be quiet about promoting the flag and what it stands for. I have lived outside the United States and coming home was a very memorable event because I could see the US flag waving.

kooldud3 said...
on Feb. 5 2010 at 2:30 pm
what he says goes for me too. the liberals pharts in DC who say we can't pledge allegience to the flag and even our president who has stated the military should pledge allegience to him, need to be swept out of office.

oldenwise said...
on Feb. 5 2010 at 1:24 pm
This is a sincere and confident essay on our country and it's greatness. I hope the author has a lot of company in how he feels. If he does, we will continue to be great. His feelings and actions when old enough can keep the states and federal governments viable. I hope he has a lot of company because liberalism and socialism are becoming more and more popular. We see the danger, then we read this person's essay and we know there is hope rising.

Jeff Tahauri said...
on Feb. 5 2010 at 9:06 am
This is the country that supports most of the third world nations with food. We have the freedoms that are unparalleled. This built on the foundation of a constitution that continues to be threatened and a national symbol that no longer gets the pledge of allegiance in many schools. The Star Spangled Banner my it always wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave. In God We Trust.

oldasdirt said...
on Feb. 4 2010 at 7:37 pm
And this from a teen? With liberalism openly being taught in our schools across the country, by teachers who may not appreciate our nation as this teen does, I am encouraged! What he has learned at home, clearly in his church, and encouraged by a teacher who would give opportunity for this essay, shows our Flag and therefore our country IS still strong. Our administration may be floundering, but clearly this nation's youth aren't-if they are anything like the person who wrote this essay.