Our National Anthem

I was asked to sing the National Anthem for Harrisville Days this morning. I've never gotten the opportunity to sing the anthem as a solo for anything before. It was a great experience and was fun to be able to sing for something again. It's been a long time! Sometimes it feels like talents get pushed aside as we get going in life, so it's nice to have little opportunities like this to give a little nudge to keep those talents going! Russ insisted on taking the camera along to make me that much more embarrassed. He was like a proud little parent! Speaking of parents, mine came as well, and I really appreciated their support! I guess they like to steal those few opportunities to hear me sing...since it pretty much never happens anymore!



My natural reaction to Russell and the camera...


Loved this guy. He and the others who raised the flag told me I'd know if I'd done a good job or not. (They were standing behind me ready to fire their guns at the end of the song. They said it might be my last one.) I must have done a good enough job, because I am still here...

Me and my dorky faces.


Relief when I was done singing. Another dorky face.

I think the greatest think about this experience was actually learning the words to the anthem. By this I don't mean I had to memorize the lyrics. We've all heard the song a million times and know the words by rote. But I think this is the first time in my life that I have actually taken the time to think about the words and the message and story behind them. When I sing, I love to think about what I am saying and how the music can emphasize the tale behind the song. I love the anthem! It is so beautifully written and so inspired. It gives such an appreciation for our beautiful flag and what it stands for.

Can you imagine being there? The celebration of seeing the flag still standing amidst the rockets and bombs of war? And isn't it nice to know the answer to the question at the end of the song is YES! The flag still waves in our country representing freedom and bravery. It gets me a little teary eyed, and I am ashamed to admit, I don't know if it ever has before! I am so grateful that I now have a new and revived appreciation for this beautiful anthem. Thank you, Harrisville City, for giving me this opportunity!

........................

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?