National Anthem Rant

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TheGameIs21

Golden Member
Apr 23, 2001
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Fact is that there is an Anthem titled The Star Spangled Banner. That Anthem has music to it and is therefore (Since 1931) an Anthem not a Poem. I don't care if it was written as a limerick it is now an Anthem with published music.

[edit]In 1931, due largely to the efforts of Mrs. Reuben Ross Holloway, president of the Maryland State Society, United States Daughters of 1812, and Congressman J. Charles Linthicum of Baltimore, Congress made "The Star-Spangled Banner" the official national anthem of the United States.

At this point, it ceased to be a poem or "just a song". "The Star Spangled Banner has always been a song. The poem you speak of is called "When the Warrior Returns from the Battle Afar." [/edit]
 

BigPoppa

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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The song was an interpretation of the poem itself. Thus, if you dislike our national anthem being interpreted in any way than it originally was written, I suggest you mute your television and pull out the Francis Scott Key poem to read to yourself.
 

TheGameIs21

Golden Member
Apr 23, 2001
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Read my edit above your post. Then pull out your poems and read them until you are happy. I am not talking about a poem, you are.
 

BigPoppa

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,930
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It was still an INTERPRETATION of the poem. A songwriter adapted the poem into song form. This is where the interpretation is.
 

TheGameIs21

Golden Member
Apr 23, 2001
1,329
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Cap all the letters you want. Fact is that the National Anthem entitled "The Star Spangled Banner" isn't a poem open for interpretation. The Anthem is a published and recognized song that should be treated as more than just a song or a poem to words that you can interpret how you want.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
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Wow - hat off to Jzero - probably the most supported and levelheaded argument I've ever read on ATOT.

TheGameIs21: YOu have just be p0wn3d! :p
 

Thraxen

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
4,683
1
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I agree with the original poster... I HATE when people try to get cute singing the national anthem. It NEVER sounds as good as when sung normally. I love it when they have military choirs sing the anthem, they always do it right.
 

Uppsala9496

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 2001
5,272
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Originally posted by: Thraxen
I agree with the original poster... I HATE when people try to get cute singing the national anthem. It NEVER sounds as good as when sung normally. I love it when they have military choirs sing the anthem, they always do it right.
I really shouldn't comment on this, but has anyone ever noticed that the military sings it only one way with no interpretation? Ponder that thought. Why is that?? If you are honest with yourself, you will have your answer.

 

TheGameIs21

Golden Member
Apr 23, 2001
1,329
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Originally posted by: Uppsala9496
Originally posted by: Thraxen
I agree with the original poster... I HATE when people try to get cute singing the national anthem. It NEVER sounds as good as when sung normally. I love it when they have military choirs sing the anthem, they always do it right.
I really shouldn't comment on this, but has anyone ever noticed that the military sings it only one way with no interpretation? Ponder that thought. Why is that?? If you are honest with yourself, you will have your answer.

Could it be because it is an hymn of praise or loyalty to the United States of America AND Congress stated that it is the official Anthem for the United States of America and the military is most willing to give loyalty or praise to the nation.
 

Hubris

Platinum Member
Jul 14, 2001
2,749
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Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
Hubris Calling me Arrogant isn't calling me a name? No, you didn't call me dumb@ss or anything but by calling me arrogant, you obviously were attempting to belittle me and/or my view. Thanks, play again on your home version of our game.

Actually, 'arrogant' was used as a descriptor there. And your statesments WERE arrogant. And it's an ARGUMENT, so of course I'm going to belittle your viewpoint and poke holes in it. That's how ARGUMENTS work. And I will have fun playing the home version; Jeopardy's rocks. Is it as good as that?



This pic comes to mind here.
 

TheGameIs21

Golden Member
Apr 23, 2001
1,329
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There is a difference between poking holes and belittling... and then you prove your intention by posting that pic. Keep building up the mature points.
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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Actually, 'arrogant' was used as a descriptor there.
Likewise, "dense."

Grow some thicker skin!

Could it be because it is an hymn of praise or loyalty to the United States of America AND Congress stated that it is the official Anthem for the United States of America and the military is most willing to give loyalty or praise to the nation.
The military still has their own take (Read: interpretation) on the song, and their own standard arrangement of the song. Here is a link to the DoD directive which mandates that the US Navy arrangement be the "official" military arrangement. Likewise, there are specific military directives upon how the anthem should be performed, and behavior during the performance.

Civilians are not bound to military directives.

In fact, The Library Of Congress specifically points out in reference to the establishment of the anthem on 3/3/31 by Herbert Hoover, "The new law, however, did not specify an official text or musical arrangement, but left room for creative arrangements and interpretations of "The Star Spangled Banner."

 

Thraxen

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
4,683
1
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Civilians are not bound to military directives.

No one is saying they are or should be. I just think the national anthem sounds best when sung "normally" and I used the military as an example of a group that always sings it very well (and respectfully). I happen to think the song sounds the best when sung traditionally... BY FAR.
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
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Originally posted by: Thraxen
Civilians are not bound to military directives.

No one is saying they are or should be. I just think the national anthem sounds best when sung "normally" and I used the military as an example of a group that always sings it very well (and respectfully). I happen to think the song sounds the best when sung traditionally... BY FAR.

It's one thing to disagree with the style. If you like it that style, that's your business. I like it that way, too.

TheGameIs21, however, seems to be stating more that the singer is being disrespectful and attempting only to showboat and make himself look good.

I don't necessarily LIKE the way Beyonce sang it, but I don't consider it disrespectful, and I won't fault her for singing it the way she did.
 

TheGameIs21

Golden Member
Apr 23, 2001
1,329
0
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Originally posted by: Jzero
Actually, 'arrogant' was used as a descriptor there.
Likewise, "dense."

Grow some thicker skin!

Could it be because it is an hymn of praise or loyalty to the United States of America AND Congress stated that it is the official Anthem for the United States of America and the military is most willing to give loyalty or praise to the nation.
The military still has their own take (Read: interpretation) on the song, and their own standard arrangement of the song. Here is a link to the DoD directive which mandates that the US Navy arrangement be the "official" military arrangement. Likewise, there are specific military directives upon how the anthem should be performed, and behavior during the performance.

Civilians are not bound to military directives.

In fact, The Library Of Congress specifically points out in reference to the establishment of the anthem on 3/3/31 by Herbert Hoover, "The new law, however, did not specify an official text or musical arrangement, but left room for creative arrangements and interpretations of "The Star Spangled Banner."

The military isn't playing an interpretation. They are playing the song as it was approved in 1931. Yes, Hoover said it could be played with different scores etc... You are still missing my point!!! People are using the Anthem to promote themselves and that is not right. The Anthem should be used to promote the US not showboat talent. Take Pride in your country selflessly. That will earn more respect than showboating ever will.

That's it. Take it or leave it.
 

SweetSweetLeroyBrown

Senior member
Oct 16, 2003
849
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What a dumb thread...there's not only "one way" to sing the National Anthem...as long as the singer gets the words right, then it's fine.

I happen to like the way she sang it.

What about Jimmi Hendrix's version of the Athem? I bet you hate that too huh because the anthem was supposedly "never meant" to be played on guitar....dumb ass.
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
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The military isn't playing an interpretation. They are playing the song as it was approved in 1931.
That is STILL an interpretation of the song, which was written/set to music long before 1931.
Yes, Hoover said it could be played with different scores etc... You are still missing my point!!! People are using the Anthem to promote themselves and that is not right. The Anthem should be used to promote the US not showboat talent. Take Pride in your country selflessly. That will earn more respect than showboating ever will.

That's it. Take it or leave it.

Your rant stands on the baseless claim that Beyonce Knowles, Phil Collins, Jimi Hendrix, or anyone else who has ever performed that national anthem "differently" has done so in order to show themselves off, and not to honor the country.

I agree with you in principle.

But there is no reason to believe that Beyonce or anyone else was doing anything more than trying to honor the country in the best way that they can.
 

TheGameIs21

Golden Member
Apr 23, 2001
1,329
0
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Originally posted by: SweetSweetLeroyBrown
What a dumb thread...there's not only "one way" to sing the National Anthem...as long as the singer gets the words right, then it's fine.

I happen to like the way she sang it.

What about Jimmi Hendrix's version of the Athem? I bet you hate that too huh because the anthem was supposedly "never meant" to be played on guitar....dumb ass.

Your maturity shines through here.....

And apparently you haven't read my posts above or your ignorance wouldn't be shining through so brightly either.
 

Spamela

Diamond Member
Oct 30, 2000
3,859
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every artist interprets a work; it's a sign of artistic maturity.

IMHO, the anthem is pretty lame, musically & lyrically, & the embellishment
improves it, if done well.
 

WinkOsmosis

Banned
Sep 18, 2002
13,990
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
considering its a poem and the original author didn't write the music i don't see how any one particular way of singing it could be more correct than the other.

It's racism... Hidden in unintelligent nonsense about "pride".
 

AlienCraft

Lifer
Nov 23, 2002
10,539
0
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Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Originally posted by: ElFenix
considering its a poem and the original author didn't write the music i don't see how any one particular way of singing it could be more correct than the other.

It's racism... Hidden in unintelligent nonsense about "pride".
Latent, hidden under a thin veneer of Flag Wavin' to distract you. The notion that there is only "ONE" way to do anything is about as UN-American as it comes.