Monday, June 30, 2008

Respect

our great Nation's song
sung with mediocre flair
takes away, not adds

I played on a job today where someone else sang the National Anthem. Normally I would heave a small sigh of relief, not because I don't want to play, but more because it gives me a chance to really listen, stepping away from the ceremony.  Today the National Anthem was sung by two girls from the local town that we performed at. I have yet to hear a more lyrical, or more embellished piece of performed disrespect in my life. It got me thinking back to all of the different "versions" of the National Anthem that I have heard throughout my life.  I have heard it in an R&B style, a gospel style, blues, rock, and country. Why? Have you ever heard the Canadian, British, Japanese, Spanish, or Chinese National Anthem sung with embellishments or creative interpretation? Maybe this is what our country is based on, but I say there is nothing wrong with honoring tradition and singing/playing our Anthem the way it was written, the way it was intended. British drinking song or no.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

The various renditons of our National Anthem truly reflect the U.S.A. of today. Everyone does whatever they feel like, regardless of what they are representing. In other words, "Who cares? I'm doing it my way."

teahouse said...

I love the national anthem. It always makes me tear up to hear it.