Is the Star Spangled Banner the best choice for our National Anthem?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 12:47:21 -0400

I never cared for it because it’s about one battle during the War of 1812. I always thought America the Beautiful would be a better choice (and easier to sing lol). Just curious.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Jul 5 at 2021 7:34 PM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 19:34:51 -0400

I agree with you on America the Beautiful and, as a matter of personal opinion, I don't think anyone could top Kate Smith's voice while singing it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2021 8:25 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 20:25:55 -0400

Oh HELL YES!!!

Response by PO2 Robert Cuminale made Jul 5 at 2021 8:34 PM

PO2 Robert Cuminale — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 20:34:08 -0400

I'll have to agree with on that point America The Beautiful speaks of our bounteous land and it's natural attributes, a God blessed land. It asks for the peace to be found in brotherhood. It speaks of the strife that served as its birthing pains, and the strife we still endure but are still a place of freedom and light. The same light that brought our ancestors to its shores. and the hopes for its future.

https://genius.com/Katharine-lee-bates-america-the-beautiful-lyrics

KatharineLee Bates – America the Beautiful

Written by Katharine Lee Bates as a poem in 1893 and first published in 1895, it was combined with music composed by church organist Samuel A. Ward in 1910. Bates wrote the poem

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Jul 6 at 2021 9:00 AM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:00:50 -0400

No. The Banner is a perfect song for America. It ASKS us if we are still keeping ourselves free. Other anthems speak of great glory, great struggles, or how they are a great people. This sugar coating, like America the Beautiful, is not what our America is about. Francis Scott Key didn't know if America would survive that night when he penned what became our anthem. We never know, even today, if America will be here tomorrow. The fascist triators tried to break down our door just 6 months ago, just like they tried in 1934. I think that it is hard to sing is a GOOD thing. Dictatorships are easy, you just do what your told. Freedom is never easy and it never will be. Therefore I say it's the perfect anthem because we need to keep asking ourselves if our Star Spangled Banner still waves!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2021 2:37 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 14:37:27 -0400

I think it is dated and I wouldn't mind an updated anthem.

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Jul 6 at 2021 6:39 PM

SGT Robert Wager — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 18:39:34 -0400

Yes, full stop.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 7 at 2021 7:15 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 19:15:28 -0400

I am almost 100% positive that the Star Spangled Banner is *not* the absolute best choice for our National Anthem. Because BEST is a hard task to accomplish. And to TRULY be the best, it must not only be better than every choice CURRENTLY available, it must be better than anything previously available, as well as songs not even created yet. I can say with relative surety that somewhere, someWHEN, there is a better option.

I just don't know what that option is. And no, America the Beautiful, is not that option.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Jul 8 at 2021 1:03 PM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 13:03:27 -0400

In today's political, racial, and anti-everything climate, the answer is YES. "America," God Bless The U.S.A and "God Bless America" have the word "God" in it. Yankee Doodle is anti-equality with the following line..."As rich as Squire David". Might I suggest "This Is America" Song by Donald Glover. I highlights what the rest of the world thinks of the US.