By now, a lot of people have seen the video of the poor Canadian girl who didn't know the words to The Star-Spangled Banner. I saw the spectacle as live as possible, on several large-screen tellies at a Winterhawks hockey viewing party in a restaurant. I felt her pain. I felt a little ashamed that we Americans run around assuming everyone should know the words to our national anthem. The girl did a great job: SHE DIDN'T EMBELLISH THE TUNE! She showed as much grace and respect as she could, while the spectators raised their voices to give her an assist. In tweeted replies to her apology, several of us reassured her most Americans don't know it, either.
There are, officially, four verses, and a fifth was added during the Civil War.
A hand-written version by Francis Scott Key, himself, reads, "Whose bright stars and broad stripes, through the clouds of the fight".
(Straight from Wikipedia): "The song is notoriously difficult for nonprofessionals to sing because of its wide range – a 12th."
Performers have tried over the years to place their own personal signatures on the song (José Feliciano, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, and more), but I truly believe the song should be free of embellishment. And that's how a brave young lady named Alexis Normand intended to do it.
BTW: The tune has often been accused of being a drinking song, but it's really too difficult to manage when in one's cups, apparently. At least to do it right.
There are, officially, four verses, and a fifth was added during the Civil War.
A hand-written version by Francis Scott Key, himself, reads, "Whose bright stars and broad stripes, through the clouds of the fight".
(Straight from Wikipedia): "The song is notoriously difficult for nonprofessionals to sing because of its wide range – a 12th."
Performers have tried over the years to place their own personal signatures on the song (José Feliciano, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, and more), but I truly believe the song should be free of embellishment. And that's how a brave young lady named Alexis Normand intended to do it.
BTW: The tune has often been accused of being a drinking song, but it's really too difficult to manage when in one's cups, apparently. At least to do it right.
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