The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1918-07-25
Attempts to change
National Anthem
German Propaganda

Philadelphia, Pa.-Attempts on the
part of the Central Powers to direct
the thinking of the people of the
United States, have included tamper-
ing with the national interest in the
song, seThe Star-Spangled !. Banner
according to John F. Braun, chairman
of community singing for the State Of
Pennsylvania, under the auspices Of
the Committee Of Public Safety. 5s
Perhaps no other musical selec-
tion," said Mr.. Braun, discussing the
matter for the Christian Science Mon
itor, sthas endured such citicism, in
respect to both text and tune, as this
one has. Much of the criticism, has
been directed at the song by. persons
who are perfectly good Americans,
but who have been touched by the
propaganda, and who were entirely
unconscious of playing directly into
the bands of the enemy. The Germans
would rejoice to find US without a ma
tional hymn. They know that with
'The Star-Spangled Banner out Of the
way, we would not agree upon an
ether composition for many years to
come.
s'The criticisms have been, first, that
the text is in some respects undigni-
fed, and difficult to learn, and second,
that the tune is unsingable because of
the extreme range Of the music. There
is no doubt that the principal criti-
cism has been directed at the fact that
the music runs very low and very
high, The assertion being thxt the
average voice cannac sing it. But a
comparison between 'sThe Star
Spangled Banner and Die Wacht am
Rhein' will show that the latter COM
position runs just as low and just as
high as THE Star-Spangled Banner
It would seem that this might be a
sufficient answer to any criticism of
the range Of the American hymn.
"Did anyone ever hear of German
who objected to Die Wacht am Rhein'
because it was either too high or toe
low? Another question is: Are Ameri-
cans willing to admit that the Ger
mans can do any fine thing that they
themselves are not willing at least to
undertake to do? If the Germans can
sing their song, will any American
who has voice keep silent when The
Star-Spangled Banner is being sung ?
"The experience I have had in con-
Quoting community choruses has dem
onstrated to me that nothing stirs a
gathering to higher pitch Of patrio-
tic enthusiasm than the singing of
The Star-Spangled Banner 1t is
found that as we approach the climax
es, some of the male voices drop to the
octave below, or else take some Of the
lower tones, while the female voices
and the high male voices all of which
can sing the notes with ease--will soar
| up, and this very musical effect is
singularly beautiful. AS stirring,
martial bit of music it has no peer
among national anthems, with the pos
sible exception Of The Marseillaise.'
American audiences can sing it, be-
cause, as matter Of fact, they are
singing it daily right here in Philadel-
phia, and many other places.
"The criticisms leveled at the text
are unimportant, when the great fact
is taken into consideration that the
song expresses the spirit Of the United
States and that it lends itself to sing
ing by mass Of people.
"When persons plead, as some do,
fer new national hymn, they do not