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 By Rev. Ralph Manuel
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust." (Psalm 31:1)
We have much to reflect on as we celebrate our country's birthday on July 4.
We can be thankful to be a part of this great nation's heritage and promise. God has truly blessed our land, for which we are grateful. Yet we have a responsibility as Christians to seek the Lord in all we do and to act in a manner worthy of Him. Even as we commemorate this patriotic occasion let us not forget our allegiance as citizens of Heaven as well.
It's not too late to join us in singing with the Summer Choir! Rehearsals are from 6:45 to 8:00 every Wednesday. Even if you don't normally sing in the choir, you are invited to sing with us for the summer. You are guaranteed to have a great time. (And our motto: No robes!)
To God be the glory,
Ralph
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The writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" is well known. Francis Scott Key, a native of Maryland, studied law at St. John's College here in Annapolis. He wrote this patriotic song, which he called "The Defense of Fort McHenry," on September 14, 1814, near the end of the War of 1812. Key was a witness to the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. When the smoke cleared, he was able to see an American flag still waving, which inspired him to write his poem.
The music to which Key's stirring text was set was already known in the United States as early as 1793. Its first extant publication was in Vocal Magazine (London, 1778), where it set the text "To Anacreon in Heaven." It is likely that Key had this already-familiar tune in mind as he wrote his words.
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, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through 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?
O 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 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.
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