Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-08-13
Praises Americas Song
John F. Braun Discusses Criti-
cism Of 1.-THE Star Spangled
Banner"

Attempts on the part Of the central
powers to direct the thinking of the
people of the United States have in
cluded tampering with the national
interest in the song 1.-The Star Spang-
led Banner" according to John F.
Barun, chairman of community sing
ing for the state Of Pennsylvania, UNI
der the auspices Of the committee Of
public safety.
Perhaps no other musical ~\selec-
ton" said Mr.. Braun, discussing the
matter for The Christian Science Mon
itor, "has endured such criticism, 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 hands of the enemy. The Germans
would rejoice to find us without a
national hymn. They know that with
The Star Spangled Banner out of
!. the way. we would not agree upon an
other composition for many years ia
come.
"The criticisms have been, first,
that tn text is in some respects un-
dignif1ed, 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 criticism has been directed
at the fact that the music runs very
low and very high. the assertion be-
ing that the average voice cannot sing
It. But a comparison between the
THE Star Spangled Banner and Die
Wacht am Rhein' will show that the
latter composition runs Just as low
and just as high as The Star Spangled
Banner 1t would seem that this
might be a sufficient answer to anv
criticism Of the range of the American
hymn.
did any one ever hear of a Ger
man who objected to Die Wacht am
Rhein because It was either too high
or too low? Another question is: Are
Americans willing to admit that the
Germans can do any fine thing that
tney themselves are not willing 1T
least to undertake to do. II the Ger
mans a sing their song, will any
american VINO has a voice keep silent
when The Star Spangled Banner, ia
being sung?
THE experience I have had in con-
ouctlng community choruses has dem
onstrated to me that nothing stirs a.
gathering to a higher pitch of patriot-
&c enthusiasm than the singing Of 'The
Star Spangled Banner It, ia found
ma as we approach the climaxes.
some OF the male voices drop to the
octave below, or else take some Of he
lower tones. while the female voices
and the high male voices-aIi ~
which can sing the notes with ease
VIII soar up, and this very musical
erect is singularly beautiful. AS a
SURFING, martial bit of music IT has
no peer among national anthems. with
tne possible~exception Of The Mar
sal!laise., American audiences can
here in Philadelphia and many other
places. oA
'Ihe criticisms 'leveled at the text
are 4r1mportant, 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 oy a a Of people. q.
When persons plead. as some do,
lot a new national hymn. they do not
realize that in a democracy the ma
uonal hymn is not selected by a few
musicians or by the literary jurists: a
national hymn grows out Of the desire
of the mass Of the people and out Of
the need of the hour. Choice is fairly
thrust upon legislators when the peo-
pie accept q certain composition as
= thing that expresses what. they
Steps have been taken ~ certain
eminent musicians to provide a stand
ard version ofSthe music. Interest. in
the anthem is further atteeted BY the
fact that several new orchestrations
have appeared since the United States
entered the war.
After all. the atmosphere Of
song. whether patriotic or otherwise.
IL the important thing. That atmo.
sphere may be tho text. saparated
from the music, or it may be in both
together. Judged BY this idea, The
7 Spangled Banner VIII surely. fof
q long time to come, be looked upon
generally as expressing In melody
what we mean when we say .The
United States OF America
WY shall be wise, indeed. IL we
place criticisms OF the national song
just where they belong;rTthat Ii TO eay.
IN the category OF either conscious or
unconscious Teutonics propaganda, IN.
stead OF criticising the song, then, let
us find occasions for singing il and
teaching 1t to the adult population,
especially those Of foreign birth, Just
~ Y - sosenecuyely being taught TO
children. y II s.Sl 81 E
The war garden wSuld rs . ysrItaJ
BILE battlefield II the gardener could
get hold pf thesdeltnQuent rain-Maksr.
~