I was surprised today to learn about the additional verses to “The Star Spangled Banner” written by Francis Scott Key in 1814. An impromptu, yet stirring, rendition of the seldom sung fourth verse was voiced at a recent Tea Party gathering by former marine Louis ? : (video here) Amazing!
Here is the text of verse four which we hear in the video:
O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power 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
Here’s a photo of sheet music cover.
Lots more history on our National Anthem here (Wikipedia)
Here is an MP3 complete version by Doug Alan Wilcox of Frederick MD.
