"STAR-SPANGLED BANNER."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 6

"STAR-SPANGLED BANNER."

That song, with its swinging patriotic air, can as yet only be called America's Anthem, but recent events bid fair to make the addition of the word "National" the correct thing. In the first week in March the Senate approved a bill for its recognition, following similar action by the Lower House, and tso far a<3 was known President Hoover held no particular grudge against it whereby to exercise his power of veto. After all, it is time America provided herself with an official National Anthem, the present state of affairs often proving very embarrassing for foreign bandmasters when an occasion arises to pay musical tribute. The embarrassment of a Parisian chef d'orchestre who began a programme one day late in November, 1918, which included the National Anthems of each of the Allies can best be imagined. On coming to America he struck up "When the Midnight ChooChoo Leaves for Alabama," a rag-time song popular at that time. Some years ago the musical director of the Congress Library at Washington was instructed to collect statistics regarding the various American melodies. To hie surprise lie found that "Dixieland," so dear to the heart of the rebel Confederate soldiera in the Civil War, was easily first in popular favour, with "Yankee Doodle" a, good second. The somewhat pedantic "Hail, Columbia" and the solemn "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" were also strong favourites, 'but "The Star-Spangled Banner" was nowhere near the head of the list. It was written by Francis Scott Key, a young American lawyer, and is steeped in historic significance. When Fort MacHenry, near the present Baltimore, was bombarded by British chips, in September, 1814, an American doctor named Beanes was made prisoner. Scott Key obtained permk-sion from President Madison to endeavour to secure his release under a flag of truce. He was well received by Admiral Cochrane, who promised to free Dr. Beanes on account of the latter's kindness towards British prisoners. Since a further night attack was projected, the two Americans were informed that they must stay with the fleet until the morning. It was when he saw the Stars and Stripes waving in the early dawn over the smoke-ridden Fort Mac Henry that Key's patriotic fervour found expression in the words of his famous song. To such degree has it appealed to the American mind that the Government gave it official recognition during the World War of 1914-18. ' — DOLOPHINE.