The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1920-11-26
THAT MYSTERIOUS TUNE
THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER

Fort McHenry, at Baltimore, Md,
mentioned in recent press dispatches
as a possible headquarters for the
Third Army Corps, is referred to in
the following bulletin Of the Nation
al Geographic Society which relates
the origin 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 ode is yet matter of con-
troversy.
"The melody has had an interna-
tional history. from the time of its re-
/ mote origin. which has even been as
cribed by some to Ireland and BY 9TH
erS to Germany. through its vogue in
Eng land $50 years ago, its adoption
/ a. the American national air, its en-
ployment by an Italian composer in an
opera of Japanese life. down to the
more recent refusal of a German con-
ductor Of New England orchestra to
play 1t in connection with symphony
programs.
another paradox about the nne
may be noted, purely from an hivor-
zeal and not from critical stand
point. Though many musicians aver
that because of its wide range it can
not be sung easily, the general pub
lie has always insisted upon singing
II. Long before it had any patriotic
significance it was the 'Tipperaly' Of
It's day in English tavern and coffee
house; and il had a vogue in the
United States before Key fitted his
triumphant ode to is rhythm. Or be-
fore the actor, Durang. chose that
tune for Keys words-according to
which side one tales on that point.
Fort McHer-y on Milestone
Point, Patapsco River at the en-
trance to Baltin ore harhor * an his
toric shrine not Only because it pro-
vided Key witt ar inspiration for hi,
poem, but because that dawn of Sep
TENDER IA, 1914. when our flag was
still there Married an American vic
tory of courage and consequence.
Three days earlier a small Britsr
feet Of vessels appeared off North
Point, carrying some 5000 veterans
OF the Duke of Wellington's encount-
ers with Napoleon's forces. General
Robert Ross, their commander. had
threatened to make his winter quar-
ters in Baltimore even if the city
'rained militia After a land attack
had been repulsed and Ross shot. the
fleet, under Admiral Cockrane launch
ed upon Fort McHenry terrific bonn
bardment, which lasted thru the day
and night of the thirteenth. II sud
denly ceased Just before daybreak on
September II.
"A young Washington lawyer and
poet, Francis Scott Key, had gone
| aboard Admiral Cockrane', flagship
before the attack to negotiate for the
release of his friend, DR.. William
Beanes, of Upper Marlboro, Md. who
| had been taken prisoner by British
soldiers. Key was eourteously treat
ed, but was held lest he betray plans
of the attack upon Baltimore. Thus
I he had a point of vantage throughout
the operations. When the firing ceas-
ed, and he beheld the flag of Fort Nc
Henry he scrubbed hastily the notes
fol his poem on the back Of an old
letter, and, upon reaching Baltimore.
revised them. The words were print
ed In Baltimore. and they were frs.
publicly sung al the Holiday Street
ihOatet Nittie 70 the Euhe Hnlcn NTH
erto had been associated with a CON
vivial song known as To Anacreon
in Heaven
"Oliver Wendell Holmes, who wrote
stanza, sometimes used "a a substi-
tute for the third verse penned BY
hey, remarked that three short poems
each the best of its kind in America.
were written in Baltimore. The other
two We're The Raven by Poe and
Randall's Maryland NJ MARYLAND"