Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-16

Old controversies over the merits of
THE Star Spangled Banner" are re-
V1ved as Congress gives of1cial approval
to the song as the National anthem.
The vocal difficulties involved are rec
ognized, but many emphasize the STIR
ring nature of the composition, espe-
cially when used as an instrumental
piece.
We're glad that questions settled"
eXclaims the Rockford Morning Star.
We have grown weary of amateur
musicians Directing to a magnificent
and stirring piece of music on the
ground that it starts with oh, say and
IS difficult to sing. And what if the
tune was originally 'Anacreon in Heav-
en-? If you've ever stood at attention
at retreat and heard an Army band
sail majesticaly into those opening
chords, the music of the braSses float
ing skyWard 70 meet the flag coming
down at sunset, you'll forget everything
but the miracle of music that somehow
IS married with the primary colors of
the American flag"
1t long ago obtained a real hold
upon the American heart" declares the
Pittsburgh PoSt-Gazette THAT is the
test OF national songs; they are never
established as such by artificial means,
by law or official PRONUNCIATION. They
Just grow in the thought and habit of
the people and develop their own ira
ditions. So it has been with The star
Spangled Banner Many years ago the
Army and the Navy bands started to
play 1T and before that the people be-
gan singing it. The only comment left
lor the official sanction now given the
anthem is that there was no reason
why the action should not have been
taken long ago.
The sound that emanates from orr
hps," says the Appleton Post Crescent.
is a lusty 'da-da-de-dum,' after a line
or two, and one resumes his seat. SEN
Slole, perhaps, of lack of knowledge
OF the words, yet full of patriotic fervor
and national spirit" Chancellor Snow
den's remarks on national anthems in
general that ''it is the music rather
than the words that really counts" are
recalled by the Kalamazoo Gazette,
which accepts the criticism that lit ex-
ceedS the vocal range of the average
patriot who has never been exposed to
voice culture" but adds that almost
any one must admit that when played
by a military band it is about as rous-
ing and inspiring as any national song
could be-"
Adoption "more than a century after
~ was HlIIGSll Is SuDJeCG OF comment
by the San Antonio Express, with the
further comment: During the hearing
before the House Judiciary Committee
several petitioners sought to demon
Strate that The Star Spangled Banner
could be sung. The effort invariably
brought the entire aSsemblage to its
feet-and perhaps that circumstance de-
cided the lawmakers favorably Howbeit,
no act of Congress could affect the
songs place in the peoples hearts
usage made it the National anthem long
ago. Had Congress adopted another
anthem inStead-aS some critics urged
the situation would have been the same.
For a nations songs are not made to
order nor adopted by, law"
Most of us leave its proper rendition
to orchestras and bands. The anthem
has power to stir our hearts and we will
always do it honor" asserts the Rock
Island Argus. The ST. Paul Pioneer
Press adds that "since it has been almost
universally recognized as the National
anthem, it is we'll that Congress has
given it official standing" Assuming
that probably it is now established
the Milwaukee Sentinel suggests that
1.-The great American public proceed to
learn all the words instead Of only the
first two lines"
"Of course, it isn't really any more
our National anthem than it was before