Although "The Star Spangled Banner" has four stanzas, only the first is usually sung. Appropriately, that stanza ends in a question mark.
For those not familiar with the story behind our national anthem, here is a quick overview. During the War of 1812, the British invaded the Chesapeake Bay, wreaked havoc upon its inhabitants, and burned the White House and Capitol in Washington. Next, they attacked Baltimore, bombing Fort McHenry, which protected its harbor. Francis Scott Key witnessed the 25-hour bombardment from a distance throughout the night. As the sun rose on Sept. 14, he looked to see if the United States flag still flew over the fort or if the fort had fallen to the enemy. The sight of our flag as it caught "the gleam of the morning's first beam" inspired him to write a poem, which became a song, which became our national anthem.
In the first stanza of "The Star-Spangled Banner," Key merely asks the question if the flag is still there. In the second stanza he answers the question in the affirmative. A third stanza berates the enemy who attacked us. The fourth stanza concludes in thanksgiving to the "power that hath made and preserved us a nation."
For many years, I felt it didn't make sense to sing just the first stanza, which asks a question but provides no answer. The anthem is usually sung in sight of an American flag, yet we conclude with the question: "O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave / o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
The answer is obviously yes. The flag waves before us. Fort McHenry did not fall. Why not tell the rest of the story by singing the other stanzas (despite the fact that it would delay the start of the ballgame)?
But as we approach the 200th anniversary of the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," I have reconsidered. I applaud having a national anthem that ends in a question mark — as long as we understand the question.
The original question revolved around the wartime survival of a fort, a city and a nation. Today, knowing that our flag flies over the United States, the emphasis of the question should be, "Does our flag still wave over the land of free and the home of the brave?" Considering the complexity of modern times, the question is valid: Is America truly free today, and are we brave enough to tackle the problems that plague us?
In some ways, America is freer today than when Key wrote the anthem. Among the defenders of Fort McHenry was a runaway slave who was injured during the bombardment and later died from his wounds. His owner had the gall to petition Congress for compensation due to the loss of his property. He was denied.
Slavery ended nearly 150 years ago. Is America now the land of the free? Are we free if we are subjected to invasive searches every time we board an airplane? If gay couples are not allowed to marry in most states? If government regulations and taxes hinder American entrepreneurship? If more than 10 million residents are considered "illegal immigrants," subject to deportation? If future generations are burdened with trillions of dollars in debt?
Nobody questions the courage of our soldiers, but is America still the "home of the brave" when our representatives in Washington are not able to reach a consensus on solving our most basic problems? Are we the home of the brave if we cannot guarantee Social Security payments to the elderly as well as ensure that young people will benefit from that same system in the future? If our tax system is onerous, unfair and inequitable? If we remain dependent on foreign oil? If we are unable to secure our borders? If we cannot compete with other industrialized nations in the world?
It is not only important to ask these questions but also to work to ensure that we remain free and that we bravely resolve political differences.
If the question mark at the end of the national anthem reminds us of our responsibility to ensure the freedom of all Americans and to bravely pursue our nation's ideals of liberty and justice for all, the song will remain as important today as when Francis Scott Key wrote it that September morning long, long ago.
Fred B. Shoken is a historic preservation professional living in Baltimore. His email is fshoken@charm.net.