Happy Independence Day! // So Seldom Sung - A Devotion...Sorta

Hello and Happy Independence Day! I’m popping in for a moment to share with you a song you are familiar with, but only the first verse more than likely. With the recent debates on our glorious National Anthem, I thought it only fitting to do her just honor and post her, in her entirety here for you to enjoy.
 
O’ say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O’er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave?
 
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half concealed, have discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream,
‘Tis the Star-Spangled Banner – oh long may it wave
O’er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!
 
And where is that band, who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror or flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the Stat-Spangled Banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.
 
And thus be it ‘er when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n 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 shall wave
O’er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.
 
Have a most blessed day celebrating the Freedom’s our Forefathers fought to pass along to us, and the Freedom’s our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguards men still defend everyday. Thank you for your Service! God Bless America!

Ryana Lynn
Jude 22