New Britain herald., 1918-05-10

provide that officers and men shall stand at attention while it is being played or sung, but the country at large has been left to it's own tastes in the matter of selecting an appro- prlate hymn for patriotic occasions. Thus The Star-Spangled Banner has been widely accepted by the American public as the representative hymn of the nation, and patriotic societies for many years have been agitating for it's official adoption.
 Every land has a national anthem identified ihscpara bly, with it's life. The sonorous strains of the Marsellaise breathe the indomitable spirit, the achievements and the aspirations of France. While going down in vessels. lIngland's sons have sung. God Save the King or Rule Brittania," and even the iron hand of Germany in Bel G1um has been unable to silence en- tirely the melody of Bra banconne." Italians sing Garibaldi's hymn, while the Irish and Scotch have a yer itablc treasure trove of stirring war songs.
 Everybody Has One.
 Attempts to find a suitable national air for the United States have not been few. Hundreds, perhaps thou , sands, of melodies have been written , in an effort to meet the demand Yet l the inspired lines written by Francis Scott Key, as, while a prisoner aboard a British frisate, he watched the un- 1 successful hombardment of Fort Me l Henry, near Baltimore. in 1914, are widely regarded as nearer than any ! other to meeting the appeal
 "Amorica' has a powerful hold on i the people of this country. but it is i considered by many unsuitable for of i ticial recognition because it's melody l is identical with that of England s
 God Save the King: -"Yankee Doo- 1 dle,' although sung through all the ! Eation's wars. is thought>too light, and : in tho South, at least, is unfortuna toIy | believed to carry a note of sectional : ism.
 l The majestic Rattle Hymn of the ! Republic, musicians claim. falls short
 of the standard. while 'Thc Red, , White and Blue.' "Rally Round the ; Flag and others also are said to De a powerful emotional appeal, is acknowledged to be peculiarly the
 song of the South.
 The music of the "Star-Spanglcd i Banner" has been adversely criticized Ccau&o it's wide range makes it's sing ing difficult for the average crowd
 Yet, it's appeal has increased throuG' ! a century to a point where it would . be difficult to displace it in the alice
 lions of tho American people. The
 WOrdS written under the stress o1 1 strong patriotic emotion, express sen.
 tmcnts that are the bulwark of the
 nations pride.
 Key, just before he wrote ''Tht
 Star-Spangled Banner" had been ap
 pointed an cmissary from the town o Marlborough in Maryland to the Brit ! ish commander to procure the release
 of a captured Marlborough physician 1 His mission was successful. but Kc, 1 was detained a few days until the en
 emy could launch the attack on Bal
 timore. From the deck of the Britisl
 vessel. he watched shot and shell rail
 on the ramparts of Fort McHenr,
 through the day and night, and in th'
 poem he expresses his elation when h.
 saw the flag still waving at dawn.
 An effective musical vehicle for tn
 poem was found in the jovial old Brit ish song, "Anacreon in Heaven" tn
 authorship of which is in controversy pr. Samuel Arnold popularly is be lieved to have composed "Anacreon,
 and the resolution now before congress ! provides that the music as written h. , him shall be used. Anacreon, to whom
 the song was inscribed has been char
 acterized as one of Grecce's most bril- r liant. but bibulous Lyric poets. Hi , statue, erected in Athens after hi death, represented him in state o
 vinous hilarity. ...