I wasn't planning on posting anything like this, but while I stood in church today to sing the National Anthem, I was holding back tears. The first verse is beautiful and powerful but I feel the other verses are often lost and forgotten. Today, the third verse was especially poignant to me.
Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's 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 Founding Fathers were inspired and I feel grateful to live in the United States of America. I hope we can uphold enough of the Constitution to protect the rights of our children. I am grateful for those who fight for our country. The only freedom lies within God's plan for us. Happy Independence Day!
I love the "hidden" verses! You're right they are not sung enough. I am so proud to be American and grateful for ALL of the things that entitles me too! Thank you for such a lovely post!
ReplyDeleteAmen to that. God Bless America! B
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. The Star Spangled Banner is one of a few hymns that Brian will sing in church, and every time I sing it I'm reminded of the circumstances under which it was written. The first verse ends in a question mark because they weren't even sure the flag would still be out there, or that our country would still stand at war's end. I'm glad that America survived, however, and I definitely am so grateful to live in such a great country. Anyway, that probably should've been a blog, but yeah, I really liked your post :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. You put into words what I felt on Sunday too. I was totally choked up and couldn't sing all the words. We are blessed to live in America.
ReplyDeletelike, like, like!!!
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