O Say Can You See?

There probably is not an American alive that does not recognize the first five words of our National Anthem.

I promised myself and others, that I would not use this blog as a political platform. Sadly our nation has become quite ugly over individual views and topics relating to religion and politics. Many seem to "doorbell ditch" with their comments by blasting an old friend or a new acquaintance, and then rushing to the "unfriend" and "block" buttons on Facebook to hide and passive aggressively control the conversation. The one-time friend or acquaintance then discovers that there is no opportunity for an "Ollie, Ollie Oxen, Free" plea for mercy, or a request to "restart" the conversation. Again, the purpose of this venture is to create a safe community of mature citizens offering love, encouragement and support. This can be done with civility and respect and we can be that example to our younger counterparts.

Let's get back to the song then. If you are like me, having come from a generation past, when the song begins, your body immediately arises from where you are seated, your hat is removed from your head, and your right hand placed over your heart as you look upward to gaze upon Old Glory.

I love to sing the National Anthem, in spite of the fact that it is one of the most difficult tunes for even the greatest of singers to deliver. I also rarely make it through without chills surging throughout my body, tears welling up in my eyes or most often streaming down my cheeks.

As we celebrate Independence Day, I would like to encourage you to take a moment to express gratitude for our freedoms. Regardless of your political views, many of our men and women throughout the life of our nation, have sacrificed much (as have their families), so that we might enjoy these blessings.

Read through the lyrics of this inspired song and feast on the words. What feelings do they conjure up inside of you. Again, the goal for this group is to encourage you to Work Your Wisdom in a way that will not only benefit you, but others as well. Ask yourself how this song might motivate you in one or more of the 9 topics listed on the side bar of this blog.

Might I then ask, "O say can YOU see?" Is there something you can do or a way you can Gift Yourself to give back to the brave and the land of the free?

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Complete version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" showing spelling and punctuation from Francis Scott Key's manuscript in the Maryland Historical Society collection.

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
Over the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bomb bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O 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 - O 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 wash'd out their foul footstep's 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.

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd 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.