Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-02

Fort McHenry. at Baltimore, Md,
mentioned in recent press dispatches as
a possible headquarters for the Ord
Army corps, is referred to in the fol-
lowing bulletin of the National Geo
graphic society which relates the ORR
gin of the National anthem:
Nearly every schoolboy knows that
the defeat of British attack upon
Fort McHenry was the occasion for
writing THE Star Spangled Banner
but how Francis Scott Keys ode came
to be set to the tune of a British
drinking song is yet a matter of con-
troversy.
The melody has had an information
al history, from the time of it's re-
mote origin. which has ever been as
scribed by some to Ireland and by
others to Germany, through it's vogue
in England $50 years ago. it's adoption
as the American National air, its
employment by an italian composer
in an opera of Japanese life down to
the more recent refusal of a German
conductor of New England or
chestra to play it in connection with
symphony programs.
Another paradox about the tune
may be noted. purely from an historic
cal and not from Critical stadpoint.
Though many musicians aver that
because of it's wide range it cannot
be sung easily. the general public
has always insisted upon singing it..
Long before it had any patriotic sig
nificance 1t was the '"Tipperafy'' Of its
day in English tavern and coffee
house; and 1T had a vogue in the
United states before Key fitted his
triumphant EIDE to its rhythm, or be-
fore the actor Durang. chose that
tune for Keys words-according to
which side one takes on that point
Fort McHenry on MILESTONE Point
Patapsco river. at the entrance to
Baltimore herbor. is an historic shrine
not only because it provided Key with
an inspiration for his poem. but be-
cause that dawn of September H.
1914, when our flag was still there.
marked an American victory of cour-
age and consequence.
Three days earlier a small feet OF
British vessels appeared OFF North
Point, carrying some GOO veterans Of
the Duke of Wellington's encounters
with Napoleon's troops. Gen. Robert
RQss--their commander, had threaten
ed to make his winter quarters in Bal
timoTe even If the city 'rained mill
tia After a land attack had been re-
pulsed and Ross shot, the feet, under
Admiral Cochrane. launched upon
Fort McHenry terrific bombarlment
which lasted throughout the day and
night of the thirteenth. 1t suddenly
ceased just before daybreak on Sep
TENDER IA.
"A young Washington lawyer and
poet, Francis Scott Key. had gone
aboard Admiral Cochrane's flagship be-
fore the attack to negotiate for the re-
lease of his friend. DR.. william Beanes.
of Upper Marlboro. Md. who had been
taken prisoner by British soldiers
Key was courteously treated. but was
held lest he betray plans of the at
tack upon Baltimore. Thus he had a
point Of vantage throughout the OPP
erations. when the firing ceased. and
he beheid the flag of Fort McHenry
he scrubbed hastily the notes for his
poem on the back Of an old letter,
and. upon reaching Baltimore, revis-
ed tlem~
''The words were printed in Balti-
more. and they were first publicly sung
at the Holiday Street theatre there TO
the tune which hitherto had been as
ISOLATED with convivial song known
as TO Anacreon in Heaven
"Oliver Wendell Holmes who wrote
stanza sometimes used as substi-
tute for the third verse penned by
Key, remarked that three short poems.
each the best Of its kind in America,
were written m Baltimore. The other
two were The Raven by Edgar AL
len Poe and Randalrs Maryland. Ny
Maryland