Forty Days: The songs of war (and peace)

[Catherine]

http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/articles/2007/06/14/lifestyle/life02.txt

Forty Days: The songs of war (and peace)
By Bob Case

Since the beginning of our nation, a number of songs have been written that remain an
important part of our history. The first that comes to mind is "The Star-Spangled
Banner" - our national anthem which was written in 1814 during the war of 1812.

I am somewhat of a history buff, but knew little or nothing about the conditions
under which Francis Scott Key wrote his poem. In a nutshell, as a result of
overhearing plans to bombard Fort McHenry while negotiating for the release of a Dr.
William Beane aboard HMS Tonnant, Mr. Key was held prisoner during the bombardment.
First on HMS Surprise and later on HMS Minden, he watched the attack from the decks
of said ships. It was not until the next morning at daylight that he was able to
determine that the British had not succeeded in their quest to land to the west of
Fort McHenry and attack Baltimore. At dawn that morning what came to be known as
"The Star-Spangled Banner Flag" was raised over the fort.

I am fascinated by the story of how this stirring song, originally a poem, came to be
written. Interestingly, it was not adopted as our national anthem until 1931 by a
law signed by President Herbert Hoover. We only sing the first of four verses. But
rather than sing this song, one might read the words aloud and listen to them
carefully, for they are the very foundation of our unique country.

The "Star-Spangled Banner" says much about our history in that we were (and are?)
willing to fight for what we believe. There are those who would make "God Bless
America" our national anthem, but today one suspects that many from the secular world
would strongly object to "God" being mentioned in anything to do with our nation.

We jump ahead to the Civil War where there were many heart-rending songs filled with
both spirit and pathos. On the Confederate side it was songs like "Dixie" and "The
Bonnie Blue Flag." And from the North came "The Battle Cry of Freedom" and "The
Battle Hymn of the Republic" ("Mine eyes have seen the Glory of the coming of the
Lord ----- His truth keeps marching on" - once again God comes into the fore.)

Even more famous because of its continued use in World War One was - "When Johnnie
Comes Marching Home" - "When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give him a hearty welcome then Hurrah! Hurrah! The men will cheer and the boys
will shout! The ladies they will all turn out. And we'll all feel gay, When Johnny
comes marching home." And how about "Over There" - "Over there, over there, send the
word, over there, that the Yanks are comin', the Yanks are comin', and it won't be
over 'til it's over, over there."

The Second World War had more than its share of songs such as "Praise the Lord and
Pass the Ammunition," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy From Company B," "Sentimental Journey"
and many, many more, but the most remembered was not a song that one could hum, but
rather a simple "graffiti," or "legend" if you will. Many of you may have wondered
at the substitution of my photograph - especially you younger folks, but "Kilroy" was
legend and now he "is here." There are many stories about G.I. infantrymen walking
into a war-torn village only to find the above graffiti on a wall, or a fence. It
might be considered one of the true morale builders of WWII.

As one looks at the rest of the 20th into the 21st century, there seems to be a hole
in that there are few if any songs that have persevered to keep up the morale of our
troops. I wonder - have we become a nation of defeatists? Would David look at us as
God fearing or just fearing? The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I
fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When evil
men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. (Psalm 27:1-3)

[Colonel Jake]

*we will all kneel and bow our heads*

[遙誌Yx垂侷"All Hail Master Pink My Instructor"[遙誌Yx垂侷
[遙誌Yx垂侷 [遙誌Yx垂侷
[遙誌Yx垂侷 "Pinku-Sensei The Great One" [遙誌Yx垂侷

*now we diligently pray*

[遙誌Yx垂侷 "Goddess Kali Goddess Of Strength" [遙誌Yx垂侷
[遙誌Yx垂侷 [遙誌Yx垂侷
[遙誌Yx垂侷 "Our Divine Goddess Of Usenet" [遙誌Yx垂侷

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*thank you Master Pink and in the name of Goddess Kali*

*so be it*

�.,�:And then some...
`^'^�
"Catherine" <Catherine@yahoo!!!.com> wrote in message
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[drmichae...@yahoo.com]

Catherine Burr going to get here 2007 Cadets sesame street poetry
reading tickets:

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[drmichae...@yahoo.com]

Catherine Burr going to get her 2007 Cadets Sesame Street poetry
reading tickets:

http://www.1funny.com/wonderwoman.shtml