Oh Say, Can You See?

This was written by Francis Scott Key who was inspired after the Brittish attacked Fort McHenry, not far from Baltimore. It inspires our nation to our deepest core, because this is who we are. Emotionally, logically, phylisophically, and truly. Indeed.

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' 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 thro' the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silences reposes, What is that which the breeze, o're the towering steep, as it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the mornings beam; In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream, 'Tis the star-spangles banner. O long may it wave over the land of the free, and the home of the brave!

O thus be it ever when free men shall stand Between their loved homes and the wars desolation! Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n-rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved 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.

The Redhunter has truly touched my heart today with his post. It is a duplication of the Declaration of Independence. My, he has a wonderful writing after the Declaration who is in her full glory. Please find the time this weekend to read both the Declaration and as many songs as are our history. Before we forget we forget them, or before they are deemed unconstitutional. Have a great 4th of July.

Remember to consider those who gave us a free nation. For my black friends, freedom came later. We are all aware of this, but it did come. Thank God!

Still, let us rejoice today. Let us celebrate freedom, life, liberty, and property--as long as we can hold on to it.

Let us remember all the wars fought to preserve us a nation. Let us be humbled by those far away from home on this Fourth of July continuing in the footsteps of their forefathers.

Maybe they had no relations, but everyone who is an American is a brother and sister. That is one of the things I love about this country. God bless everyone this Fourth of July!