The National Anthem

Thank you for your response SinfulSweet. Yes, the National Anthem is a beautiful song and I tear up every time I hear it or sing it. However, from a practical point of view we would like the song to be easy enough for every American to sing. The kind of song you kind of sing around the house without realizing you are doing it. It wouldn't hurt my feelings, though, if they never changed it. It's just something that has been considered in the past and it probably has no merit today.

How I dearly love to read responses like that. Thanks for it. I'm beginning to learn a lot from this discussion already.

Point well taken, notlistening2. Maybe these ides are the reason the idea died on the vine. Thanks for the response.

Thanks for your response Wizzywig. I wasn't aware that some people were unhappy with the Queen and royal family. Your response is very interesting and I will tuck it away in my list of things learned on MyLot. There is one song though which was strictly British in origin and still lives in this country today: "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" aka "God Save the Queen." Interesting, isn't it?

I think our Royal Family is more popular in other countries than here. There are people who believe its outdated and costs the country too much. I think there probably are a few 'hangers-on' who are getting paid well to do very little but, from a recent documentary I watched, I'd say the Queen works pretty hard. I have a lot of respect for the Princess Royal because, when she does her charity work, she doesn't use it as a PR exercise. She's not afraid to get her hands dirty!

Hi mentalward. I was looking for your response. Thank you for dong that research. I knew it was once a drinking song but you came up with some facts I didn't know. I hope everyone understands, I'm not advocating changing the song, but just to let people know that several years ago there was a movement to do just that. The only alternative song I could think of was the one I already mentioned. We made it to Daytona ( August 30, 2008) and It looks like all we are going to get is a little rain from the feeder bands which are making their way to the west across the state to join up with the hurricane. Right now the weather is beautiful. Wish you were here.

Hi! I hope the weather is still holding up for you! I've been keeping an eye on the Weather Channel and Gustav and thinking about you down there. If things keep going the way they are at the moment, there shouldn't be too many feeder bands coming through since it was downgraded to a Cat 3 after crossing Cuba. BUT, it's now in the Gulf, so there's a chance that it will pick up some strength. I just hope, for your sake, that it continues on it's northwesterly course and doesn't turn northward. Well, I hope that for Louisiana's sake as well. They've had enough devastation for one decade... heck, one LIFETIME!

Take care and have fun! Now that you've told me that the weather hasn't been that bad, I wish I was there, too! I've never actually BEEN to Florida. The closest I got was to fly OVER it on my way to the Caribbean.

Thanks for the response eeyore 39. Point well taken about Francis Scott Key and where he was and what was happening when he wrote it. I think the movement started in an effort to get more Americans to sing the national anthem. What better way, than to have a song which was very singable to everyone and not just a few people with excellent voices. Personally, I'm glad the idea died on the vine so to speak. At least now, it's just one more controversy we don't have to contend with. We have enough as it is.

Exactly! Lately it seems like everything needs to be changed so it is easier for everyone. How easy do we have to make it? I know it would have to be pretty easy for me to be able to sing it. Maybe something to the tune of the "A,B,C" song? Personally I don't care. I am happy to hear professional singers do it well (for the most part), and most average people screw it up, but try anyway.

Thanks for your response and comment, darkjedi and fluffysue. Don't worry, the idea died several years ago (at least I think it has). If the people who have responded so far have anything to do with it, it may never come up again.

Goddess I hope not.

Very interesting. Thank you for your response.

Thanks for the response sandymay16. I am a singer too and I love our national anthem, but it's note range is difficult for the average person to sing. America the Beautiful is much more singable for the average non-expert singer. If there ever is a push to change it, it will not matter to me one way or another. America the Beautiful is a good alternative though. Keep on singing.