On the eve of our country’s Independence Day holiday, my Beautiful Music offering is our national anthem. Did you know that The Star Spangled Banner’s melody was borrowed from a song used by a (drinking) club? You can listen the anthem performed magnificently by Musician 1st Class Amy Broadbent, soprano, of the United States Navy, then hear all the choruses of the original song. You can also learn more about the history of the drinking-song-turned-anthem. And finally, watch a moving TedX talk by the renowned tenor Dr. Albert R. Lee about his complicated personal relationship with the anthem.
The Star-Spangled Banner | U.S. Navy Band – YouTube
The Anacreontic Song (With Choruses) – YouTube
US Anthem Stolen from British Drinking Song | What History Forgot – YouTube
When I sing the anthem | Albert Lee | TEDxUniversityofNevada – YouTube