Since the beginning of our nation a number of songs have been written that remain an important part of our history. The first that comes to mind is "The Star-Spangled Banner" - our national anthem which was written in 1814 during the war of 1812.

I am somewhat of a history buff, but knew little or nothing about the conditions under which Francis Scott Key wrote his poem. In a nutshell, as a rwwesult of overhearing plans to bombard Fort McHenry while negotiating for the release of a Dr. William Beane aboard HMS Tonnant, Mr. Key was held prisoner during the bombardment. First on HMS Surprise and later on HMS Minden he watched the attack from the decks of said ships. It was not until the next morning at daylight that he was able to determine that the British had not succeeded in their quest to land to the west of Fort McHenry and attack Baltimore. At dawn that morning what came to be known as "The Star-Spangled Banner Flag" was raised over the fort.

I am fascinated by the story of how this stirring song, originally a poem, came to be written. Interestingly, it was not adopted as our national anthem until 1931 by a law signed by President Herbert Hoover. We only sing the first of four versus, but rather than sing this song, one might read the words aloud and listen to them carefully for they are the very foundation of our unique country. The "Star-Spangled Banner" says much about our history in that we were (and are?) willing to fight for what we believe. There are those who would make "God Bless America" our national anthem, but today one suspects that many from the secular world would strongly object to "God" being mentioned in anything to do with our nation.

We jump ahead to the Civil War where there were many heart-rending songs filled with both spirit and pathos. On the Confederate side it was songs like "Dixie" and "The Bonnie Blue Flag." And from the North came "The Battle Cry of Freedom" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" ("Mine eyes have seen the Glory of the coming of the Lord ----- His truth keeps marching on" - once again God comes into the fore.)

Even more famous because of its continued use in World War One was - "When Johnnie Comes Marching Home" - "When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah! Hurrah! We'll give him a hearty welcome then Hurrah! Hurrah! The men will cheer and the boys will shout! The ladies they will all turn out And we'll all feel gay, When Johnny comes marching home." And how about "Over There" - "Over there, over there, send the word, over there, that the Yanks are comin', the Yanks are comin', and it won't be over 'til it's over, over there."

The Second World War had more than its share of songs such as "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy From Company B," "Sentimental Journey" and many, many more, but the most remembered was not a song that one could hum, but rather a simple "graffiti," or "legend" if you will. Many of you may have wondered at the substitution of my photograph - especially you younger folks, but "Kilroy" was legend and now he "is here." There are many stories about G.I. infantrymen walking into a war-torn village only to find the above graffiti on a wall, or a fence. It might be considered one of the true morale builders of WWII.

As one looks at the rest of the 20th into the 21st century, there seems to be a hole in that there are few if any songs that have persevered to keep up the morale of our troops. I wonder - have we become a nation of defeatists? Would David look at us as God fearing or just fearing? The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. (Psalm 27:1-3)

Send your comments and questions to me, Bob Case, either by e-mail to: rpcase@pacbell.net, or care of: The Sentinel, P.O. Box 9, Hanford, CA 93232

(June 9, 2007)