My high school band director always said that the snare drum roll at the beginning of this song should sound "like a mountain is rolling down on top of you." This version is just perfect.
Thinking about this being performed 9 days after 9-11 is just tragically beautiful. It definitely brings tears to my eyes as I listen to it today, Memorial Day.
The Great U.S. OF A is really all that.I couldn't wait to sing that marvellous song @ the Citizenship Ceremony.I felt very fortunate,blessed, ready to work harder to improve every areas of my life here including keep giving back,help the small ones,say Hi to the marginalized that doesn't friends but dogs and cats Really , I was so happy I told strangers that I became American Citizen .Some congratulated me and of course others didn't care,but I kept my joy and told 7 more people about it.I encouarge every immigrants to appreciate it, praise God for it and keep your heads up and be "Great Americans " So glad to be here & God bless everyone.
The fourth stanza is my favorite but seldom sung.... O! thus be it ever when free men shall stand Between their loved homes and the foe's desolation; Bless'd with victory and peace, may our Heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just And this be our motto ... "In God is our trust!" And the Star-spangled Banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
I actually prefer the slower, more majestic rendition done here. There's no reason why it has to be rushed - and a slower tempo with a mild dash of rubato seems the best way to make our nation's anthem sound noble, idealistic and imaginative.
I agree , im a seventh grader and we're doing this in class , and she wants us to go faster than this . I told her if we can go slower , just to take all the pride in , and she completely ignored me
KarlBonner1982 I think in certain times it's best to be slower. Usually I prefer the faster rendition done by a band. I wish it were more of a tradition to have a band play it or a choir sing it verses one idiot pop star.
20 years in uniform and 16 years out and it still gets to me. Even today, I get a lump in my throat when it is played as beautifully as in this wonderful video. God Bless The United States of America, and all those who have stood in harm's way to protect her. CWO2, U. S. Coast Guard, Retired
I'm a Canadian civilian, but I love a beautifully- and simply-performed rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, which this is. I'm an amateur violinist, and when I play any national anthem (I've learned six, including O Canada and The Star-Spangled Banner), that's what I focus on: simplicity and beauty. I grew up on the Canada/US border: my childhood home was on the St. Croix River in New Brunswick and looked out on the river--and Maine on the other side. My parents and I used to see both American and Canadian Coast Guard ships going up and down the river (the Canadian Coast Guard being a government agency, not part of the Canadian Armed Forces), and I still have a lot of respect for the Coast Guards of both countries. Thank you for your service.
I cannot imagine the blood in my veins had I served in the Armed Forces. Jesus Christ, I’m crying. Thank you, Papaw who died at Normandy. Thank you everyone in Korea and WWII.
I came to listen to this after feeling pretty disappointed in the political discourse and divide currently in this country. But listening to this reminded me, we are all Americans, united not by political alliance, but by our founding principles of freedom, equality and democracy. The National Anthem is a beautiful representation of these. God Bless America and help guide us towards unity rather than division.
This is indeed a breath of fresh air, much better than the over-embellished versions you hear at sporting events. I was quite frustrated over the issue when I wrote my previous comment,
I STAND for the National Anthem!!!! I stand with my country!!!! I boycott the NFL and NBA to stand up for the USA!!!! #MAGA #IStandForTheFlag #StandForTheFlagKneelForTheCross #BoycottNFL #BoycottNBA
I wish our anthem was patriotic and proud like this. Personally, I don't think that God Save the Queen strikes as much pride and passion in one's heart for their country as the Star Spangled Banner does for Americans.
I'm american, and I like "God Save The Queen" better. It presents a more powerful image, but our anthem is not as majestic and strong. It's unfortunate because america is just as powerful a country as England
LngVly22 Well, actually, the USA is the most powerful and influential country in the world. Barack Obama is more powerful than the Queen. But I appreciate that you prefer our anthem :) I'd rather have 'Rule Britannia', because you can't get any more patriotic than that, rather than singing about our Queen- but don't get me wrong; being British, I love my Queen and the Royal family! And of course, I love my country. But I wish people could express their patriotism as freely in their own country as the Americans can, because of all the immigrants coming over it would be seen as 'racist'. I'm telling you now, people over here have a VERY warped sense of what political correctness is nowadays, and I bet my comment will spark a bunch of controversy on this page...
USA was so united in grief back then after sept 11th attack. now our country is so divided & angry at each other over differences that don't really matter. 😊
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 stars through the perilous fight, O'er 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 went to the concert it was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are correct. That's what I immediately thought. Still, it was played well by professionals, with no runs and embellishments. I like how military bands play it, and it would have had the faster tempo.
One of the few renditions of the US anthem that I actually enjoy. It sounds like it's straight from a fantasy movie/video game soundtrack -- I also like the chorus a lot, as it makes the lyrics sound like Latin. A lot of renditions are either too upbeat/fast tempo or, my least favorite, when it's sung by a single person. I commend the performances of those who sing the Star-Spangled Banner at places like sporting events -- especially in front of hundreds of spectators -- however, even when it's sung by a great singer, it never does it for me like this does.
