O! say, can you see, by the dawns early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro` the perilous fight, Oer the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets 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 mist of the deep, Where the foes haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o`er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning`s first beam, in full glory, reflected now shines on the stream. Tis the Star-Spangled Banner. O long may it wave O`er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion A home and country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash`d out their foul footstep’s pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph doth wave O`er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it e`er when free men shall stand Between their lov`d home and wars desolation, Blest with vict`ry and peace, may the Heavn-rescued land Praise the pow`r that hath made and preserv`d 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.
WRITTEN BY FRANCIS SCOTT KEY – SEPTEMBER 14, 1814
THE AMERICAN`S CREED
I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I, therefore, believe it is my duty to my Country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.
WRITTEN BY WILLIAM TYLER PAGE IN 1917
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