This Song Was Made For You And Me

            If you’re like me, you’re forever scarred by your high school marching band days. Maybe it’s always stepping off with your left foot or marking time while waiting in the checkout line. I was Drum Major and still find myself conducting to the radio. One thing every marcher walks away with is an intimate knowledge with the national anthem. Every time you put on your feathered helmet, you were probably going to play “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Between game days and practices, I’ve heard the S.S.B. more times than I can count and it’s taught me one thing: there has to be a better national anthem.

            Before we go further, let’s talk disclaimers. I am not questioning the American spirit the song represents. I’m questioning the song itself as a representative of that spirit. As I’ve covered in previous columns, symbols are important because they represent the intangible concepts when language falls short. As the concept grows and evolves with the people, so too must the symbol. The symbol’s appropriateness and accuracy must be assessed.  

            Our current national anthem, which stole its tune from a British song, was made official in 1931. As the Wemstroms pointed out in their column posted May 25th, not only is the song on the difficult side, but it also contains some questionable verses and it’s really best heard as an orchestral piece. Hardly the kind of thing for stirring patriotism around the campfire, (or Rick’s Café Américain.) I take one other huge issue with the song.

            The S.S.B. is a war anthem. It was written about the glorious feeling of seeing the flag still standing after an attack. That’s a fine sentiment to want to immortalize but that’s not all the U.S.A. is. There are times in this country when the bombs aren’t bursting in air. The anthem that unites us all shouldn’t only be about wartime.

I don’t know what the replacement anthem should be, partly because there are so many options, but three suggestions pop to mind.

·         One of my history professors in undergrad suggested the Quaker song, “Simple Gifts.” Not the most dynamic, sure, but I agree that “’tis a gift to be simple, ‘tis a gift to be free.” A gift that this country has defended time and time again.

·         A more classic suggestion is “America The Beautiful.” Still not the easiest song to sing but one that people know and one that focuses on the simple beauty and joy of the country. The emphasis on brotherhood instead of antagonism is also nice. Claiming “God shed His grace on thee,” seems a little egotistical though.

·         If I had to pick one right now, I’d go with “This Land Is Your Land.” It feels timeless, it’s easy on the vocal chords, and like “America The Beautiful,” it focuses on the simple pleasure and camaraderie of the U.S. “This Land” goes a step further and instead of crediting outside forces, rests responsibility for the country with us. “This land belongs to you and me.” That sounds like the anthem of a democracy.

(I don’t have space to get into it but look up the 4th verse of “This Land” and what it says about walls.)

Symbols are vitally important to the national spirit. If we are going to have a national song, it should represent the best holistic picture of the country. Is that a flag that survives an attack, or the diverse opportunity of a sweeping paradise that is open to all of us?

I love challenging the tropes of patriotism right before the 4th of July. To me, there is nothing more patriotic.