Before the Star Spangled Banner Can anyone tell us what tunes was used as the US National Anthem? Pre the Star Spangled Banner ? And roughly what year did the tunes first get played as such?
Posts: 13169 | Location: 6 miles west of Wigan UK | Registered: 06-05-02
There was no official anthem prior the 1931's adoption of "The Star Spangled Banner," though it was often played during official functions.
For numerous reasons - most likely because our anthem is difficult to sing (the melody is that of "To Anacreon In Heaven") - some folks would like to see us change it! Popular alternatives are:
I would rather have either of the two that Fuse mentions as the national anthem than the Star Spangled Banner, and if I had my way (which I don't very often), the one and only version of the anthem that would be allowed to be played would be Ray Charles singing "America the Beautiful." I have to admit, however, that nothing gets patrons out of a bar faster at closing time than Kate Smith singing "God Bless America."
Posts: 17027 | Location: Lincoln Place, Granite City, IL, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
