The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-07-27
THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER"

must think nationally and impartially.
THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER"
st. Louis Globe-Democrat While
The Star Spangled Banner" is so
much in the spotlight in these patriotic
days we are edited and entertained nv
great variety of opinions relating both
to the courtesy due the flag as the en-.
blem Of our country and the place OF
the anthem in our national music. Be-
sides being in the spotlight, we have
the opportunity of seeing il in many
sidelights.
Much objection is raised to the play
ing of 'The Star Spangled Banner" in
medleys at miscellaneous assemblies.
for since the first strains Of the tune
are heard audiences frequently find
themselves foolishly standing when
Orchestras rather impertinently change
the air TO some common ragtime tune.
Either play the anthem in its entirety
or let II alone, is the consensus Of opin.
ion.
Singing The Star Spangled Banner"
also has its difficulties. Few voices are
suited 10 its great range and in the
final line the highest note is often un-
attainable the patriotic but unframed
singer being left hanging helplessly n
midair. as II were. Most Of us are Will.
ing to leave that top note for the Amer.
lean eagle to scream. He can reach IT,
On this point the Seattle Post Inteli-
gencer says Until our army gets
some trench training, 1t may not be the
toughest in the world, but they can't
deny that our national anthem is the
hardest to sing" The Toledo Blade
says, consolingly, Though you cannot
sing you'll be forgiven for trying to sing
The Star Spangled Banner" while
the Albany Journal expresses the rad
ical opinion that "it would be well so
to revise the music Of The Star Span.
gled Banner that It would come within
the compass Of the average singing
voice. That could be done without M
terially changing the melody" The
Boston Advertiser somewhat flppant,y
observes that some orchestras play
THE Star Spangled Banner" so that II
sounds more like a bar Strangle1
Stammer"
The choice Of the anthem in the orS,-
nary music Of theatrical and movie o.
chestras is deprecated by some news
papers. which think that great discre-
tion should be employed in playing II.
Says the Chicago News: "As time goes
on the intelligent musicians at the
movies learn that The Star Spangled
Banner is not for frivolous moments
and the New York Morning Telegraph
remarks: 1T has come TO pass that
even a poor vaudeville act makes a hi;
II II doesn't lean on The Star Span
gled Banner"
The Wisconsin State Journal oom.
ments severely: Don't allow your or.
chestras TO sandwich in a refrain from
the national anthem. II is an insult 90
our country. Americans do not want
20 rise In respect 10 the national
anthem and then find the refrain sud
denly converted into some idiotic fox
trot or ragtime."
Standing up out OF respect to the fine
old song has some disadvantages ct
times. as we gather from a squib In the
Louisville Courier.Journal. which reads
"I never get a chance 10 stand when
the national anthem is played" WIN
not?" TOO busy picking up things
NV wife drops a glove or a handker-
chief every time she rises"
Philander Johnson pretty thoroughly
covers the various phases OF "Sta-
Spangled Banner demonstrations in
the following verses in the Washington
Star:
II you haven't an ear for melodious
strains.
You are likely annoyance 10 suffer.
or the man who can't dance everybody
complains
As useless and cumbersome duffer.
You may live IN comfort, although yoI
can't dance
In graceful and rhythmical manner
But for comfort and peace YOU will no;
have a chance
II you don't know THE Star spangled
Banner"
You may not know when Il is time to
arise.
Your ignorance may start dissension.
You may remain seated while wonder
ing eyes
In reproof view your strange inatten'
tion.
Though you've studied your law books
and statesmanlike lore,
You want 20 hunt up the pianner,
Where the family takes lessons, anil
study some more
The tune OF the old Star Spangled
Banner"