7/03/2010

Happy Independence Day to My American Friends

The Star Spangled Banner
by Francis Scott Key 1814

Oh, 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 thru 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.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!



And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when 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!



Freedom isn't free and we are thankful every day for it! Be sure to do something to honor those "traitors" of the American Revolution who founded our great country.


Stay safe from the boomies and noise these next couple of nights. I'll be spending them in the Mancave or under the coffee table.

14 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Happy FoURth of WOO-ly!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

THat was very interesting. I knew there were other verses, but had not read them in years! Thanks for sharing/

Motor Home Cats said...

We hope you have a very happy and SAFE Fourth of July.

Tavi, Cody and Gracie

Kate (Pablo's mum) said...

Why do humans have to celebrate with boomies? Why not nip? Happy fourth, anyway!

Brian's Home Blog said...

That was a very good post today! I hope y'all have a wonderful 4th of July!!!

Angel Simba said...

Thank yo for a wonderful post. Stay clear of all the fireworks.

Katnip Lounge said...

We'll be in the closet if you need us.

Happy Independence Day!

Quill and Greyson said...

Happy Fourth!

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Happy Fourth of July!

purrs

>^,,^<

♥Abby♥

The Island Cats said...

Our windows are all closed 'cuz the cold air blowing thingey is on...so the boomers aren't too bad tonight!

Happy 4th of July!!

Pip said...

Oh we understand Mr. H, we spended the whole night unner the bed!
Is very cool you finds all the verses to the song.

Dr Tweety of da Fab Five said...

Me too Hendrix!!! In fact, I hazzn't comez outta da garage yet. Dey are doin' more boomz toonight. I justee wants dis awful noize to stop!!! How do you gets 'em to stop????

A few Good Cats said...

The rockets in the poem are OK, it's the rockets outside the house that are hard to take, right Mr. H.?

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

We can almost hear your meowing the song!
--JB