happy birthday, America!
[Welcome to our annual, excellent Guest Writer Series. Meet contributor #2...]
Just like words that play on a reel in my mind, music has always coursed through my veins. I’m not sure why it is that way. Maybe it is because words and music go hand in hand. Or perhaps it is due in part to the deep family history and love of music. Either way, a part of my world, and fascination, with words seems to bridge the distance between time and space to connect with another wordsmith and diplomat of his time, Francis Scott Key.
Francis Scott Key! Why are you talking about Francis Scott Key? Maybe you are thinking: “I didn’t come here to the Intramuralist to get a boring history lesson!” Truth be told, I didn’t either, but sometimes we need to take a look at who we are and where we came from in order to know where it is we are going. So, without further ado, let’s look at Francis Scott Key.
Francis Scott Key was born on August 1st, 1779 in Frederick, Maryland. He became an American lawyer, author, and poet. On September 13th, 1814, he would step into history as a prolific songwriter. On this September day, Key was called upon along with another American Patriot to help negotiate the release of American soldiers that the British were holding as prisoners of the War of 1812.
Key and the others with him arrived at the British Vessel. Key and his delegation of American Patriots were ready to negotiate. As word has it, the talks were very successful; they had accomplished what they hoped for. It was now time for Key and the Delegation to return to land. The British, however, had other ideas. As they were about to embark upon their own boats, the British called Key back onto the boat and did not give them passage. The British generals had decided that Key and the others had “heard too much” and “knew too much information.” They were now a liability to the British and their plan of attack.
As night began to fall over the area, the British leaders urged Key to look out across the port. Much to Key’s surprise, the entire bay was full of the British fleet of warships. The British Commander then proceeded to share their intentions. They were prepared to fire upon Fort McHenry from dusk until dawn, for Britain knew if they could defeat Fort McHenry, they could win the war. This also served as a way to intimidate the American troops. The British knew that all Francis Scott Key could was watch in disbelief as 1,500 rounds of munitions were fired upon the American people hour after hour for 24 hours straight. Key stood on the deck of the ship watching as rockets and shells were lobbed at Fort McHenry. He watched as surely the American flag would fall. Key and the others were powerless to do anything to stop the British Army’s attack. All he could was watch through the dark of the night as the rain fell and the mortar rounds were fired.
As the rain tapered off and the sun began to rise, Key thought for sure his greatest fear would become his most dreaded reality. Surely the British flag would be flying where the American flag had once stood. However, as Key looked toward Fort McHenry through the smoke of gun powder, the haze of nature’s fog, and the dark that happens just before the dawn of a new day, Francis Scott Key saw Old Glory still standing. The British attack had failed. As quick as the fear had come, it was gone and these words were penned to paper:
O, Say can you see
By the dawn’s early light.
What so proudly we hailed
At the twilight’s last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and
Bright starts through the perilous fight
Or the ramparts we watched
Were so gallantly streaming
And the rocket’s red glare
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through 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
I can only imagine how Francis Scott Key must have felt standing on that British warship watching as the enemy pummeled his homeland. Did he ever doubt the American Patriots? Did the American Patriots ever doubt their own chances of finding victory against as opposing military force that could out power them in every way? What did the British think as the American flag still stood its ground with the sunrise?
Since 1776 and beyond, our nation has faced many slings and arrows. There have been many forces of evil that have been formed against us as a nation. Forces that have tried to dim our light. Other nations that have thought us better off dead. People that have tried to tell us how rotten we are. And while I will not deny that there is always room for growth and change, I will never take for granted the opportunity that God has afforded me to live in America for such a time as this. As far as nations go, we may be more like a teenager, but America is still that shining city on a hill! Each of us is here for such a time as this. So, as our nation celebrates 250 years, my challenge to you is this: think about all the ways that God has been faithful — to YOU, to YOUR FAMILY, and to OUR COUNTRY. We truly are a nation that has been blessed to be a blessing.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!!!
In the Fray,
LJS
