When Freemen Shall Stand
From J. Neil Schulman via Bill St. Clair.
From the author's note at essay's end:
***
Author’s Note:
Since it is rarely sung, here is the final verse of the national anthem of the United States of America, “The Star Spangled Banner”:
Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation;
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
***
Read, think, and plan.
Tempus fugit.
posted by Concerned American | 5:01 PM
5 Comments:
I'm doing my best, damnit, with my limited budget!
But thanks for continuing to prod us readers in the right direction. Please continue.
B Woodman
III-per
word verify: faceli = 1/2 of a face lift (but which half?)
It's becoming increasingly clear what must be done. The only questions remaining is when, who, and how.
According to Wikipedia, a fifth verse was added during the Civil War.
It also adds a special "bite" to the rest of the poem. One that resonates well today.
When our land is illumined with liberty's smile,
If a foe from within strikes a blow at her glory,
Down, down with the traitor that tries to defile
The flag of the stars, and the page of her story!
By the millions unchained,
Who their birthright have gained
We will keep her bright blazon forever unstained;
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave,
While the land of the free is the home of the brave.
Okay, I read it.
And I thought.
I think that the author, if that is his photo at the link, looks like a fat, ridiculous leering beaver in a black beret.
It's just so hard to take anyone seriously who purposefully publishes photos of himself in a black beret, unless he's also wearing a military uniform, is young, and in imposing physical shape.
Otherwise, a black beret makes you look, well, goofy as Hell. Especially if you have a gray beard, buck teeth, and way more pounds than you should tote around.
And I'm still not sure exactly what all that crap about the Freeholders and Brown Berets and all that other goobledee-gook was, either.
Then again, I thought Firefly and Serenity were both low-rent stupid crap, too.
Anon, I'm not sure I'd admit in public that I couldn't understand the premise of that simple story.
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