lyrics for the star spangled banner song

As the British have detained him until their next military operation concludes, he witnesses the Bombardment of Fort McHenry on September 13-14, 1814. Nine years later after composing When the Warrior Returns, Scott Key is in Baltimore, MD and had concluded negotiations with the British on prisoner transfers during the War of 1812. Scott Key used another then-popular song, To Anacreon in Heaven composed by John Stafford Smith in 1778 London, as the musical lyric for his verses. and Charles Stewart of the 1801 – 1805 Tripolitan War.

Clague goes into depth to illustrate the original source of the song and its meaning.Ĭlague discussed the song When the Warrior Returns by Francis Scott Key from 1805 which was written for America’s first Naval Heroes: Stephen Decatur, Jr. The presentation included audience participation in singing some of the various songs.

His younger days were filled with parades and activities centered on America’s Bi-Centennial, which sparked his interest in the song. His presentation “Banner Ballards” incorporates music examples, following the anthem’s 200-year journey from broadside, to victory ballad, to protest song, to anthem, and back again.Īs he began, Clague noted his fondness for the Star-Spangled Banner began in his youth as he grew up during the mid 1970’s. He is also the co-Director of the American Music Institute.Ĭlague has explored more than 100 different sets of words sung to the tune we recognize today as only Star-Spangled Banner. He is an Associate Professor of Music, American Culture, and African American Studies as well as the Director of Entrepreneurship and Career Services. Mark Clague is part of the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theater, and Dance. Ford Presidential Library on March 7, 2017. Musicologist Mark Clague presented a lecture on “Banner Ballards: The Many Lyrics of the Star-Spangled Banner” at the Gerald R.

Lyrics for the star spangled banner song