And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave

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

NOTES AND QUESTIONS

Biographical and Historical Note. Francis Scott Key (1780-1843), an American lawyer and poet, was a native of Maryland. “The Star-Spangled Banner” made him famous.

The incidents referred to in this poem occurred during the war of 1812. In August, 1814, a strong force of British entered Washington and burned the Capitol, the White House, and many other public buildings. On September 13 the British admiral moved his fleet into position to attack Fort McHenry, near Baltimore. The bombardment lasted all night, but the fort was so bravely defended that the flag was still floating over it when morning came. Just before the bombardment began, Francis Scott Key was sent to the admiral’s frigate to arrange for an exchange of prisoners and was told to wait until the bombardment was over. All night he watched the fort and by the first rays of morning light he saw the Stars and Stripes still waving. Then, in his joy and pride, he wrote the stirring words of the song which is now known and loved by all Americans—“The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Discussion. 1. Relate the incident that called forth the poem. 2. What “perilous fight” had taken place? 3. Where was the author during the fight? 4. What had he seen at the “twilight’s last gleaming”? 5. Over what ramparts was the flag streaming? 6. Which lines suggest why the poet could not be sure that the flag was still there? 7. What sometimes “gave proof” to him? 8. What finally disclosed the flag “in full glory”? 9. What feelings do you think this certainty aroused in the watcher? 10. Who made up “the foe’s haughty host”? 11. Find words that tell where the foe was and that he had ceased firing. 12. What “war’s desolation” is named in the third stanza? 13. What other war songs do you know? 14. What other country’s national hymn do you know? 15. What purposes does such a song serve?

Phrases

CITIZENSHIP