The Star Spangled Banner

by Gail Smith

Download the music

The Star Spangled Banner officially became the national anthem of the United States by an Act of Congress on March 3, 1931. An incident in the War of 1812 led Francis Scott Key (1770-1843) to write it. Key had been authorized by President Madison to negotiate the release of Key's friend, Dr. Beanes, a physician who had been arrested by the British after their raid on Washington and the burning of the Capitol and the White House.

On September 13, 1814, the British fired about 1800 bombs at Fort McHenry, which guarded the Baltimore harbor. Key and his friends anxiously awaited the outcome and as dawn finally came, through the misty drizzle they caught a glimpse of the oversized flag of their country still flying. When Key saw that the attack was over he began to jot down the words of "The Star Spangled Banner" on the back of an old letter. He completed the song in Baltimore during the city's great victory celebration.

It was sung to a well known English song that was most likely composed by John Stafford Smith. It has been the subject of much research and controversy. But the tune was published by Smith in his Fifth Book of Canzonets, Catches, Canons & Glees (London, 1799). This tune was first published as the Anacreontic Song (as sung at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand) in 1779.

Our National anthem has been criticized for being too difficult to sing. In reality it is a simple song in A-A-B form. The melody starts on the fifth note of the scale. The range of the melody is from middle C to a high G if you play it in the key of C. It is either to low for the average singer or too high, no matter what note you start on. Usually when everyone sings the words "and the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air," that's when we start singing an octave lower.

Instead of a new anthem some may think, why not just a new melody for the old words? Could we somehow modify the existing melody?

Many people have said that we should change the national anthem to the classic patriotic song "America the Beautiful." That song is beautiful but not as stirring or majestic as our "Star Spangled Banner." Both songs start on the fifth note of the scale. The song is only two notes lower, but I admit it is much easier to sing.

Just because something is easier is not a reason to do away with it. Easier isn't always better. "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" is a very easy song with a span of just five notes. "Hot Cross Buns" has just three notes. I think you get the point... Preserving our national anthem is very important.

The actual flag that was flying when the Star Spangled Banner was written is preserved at The Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. A few years ago a special team began working on its restoration. It has cost a tremendous amount of money for this project. It looked like a very complicated process when I visited the Smithsonian.

The Star Spangled Banner has 32 measures. Within those 32 bars, the melody has one hundred and one notes to sing.

Happy Fourth of July!

Download Gail's arrangement of The Star Spangled Banner from The Complete Church Pianist.