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Saturday, June 13, 2009

O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE & THE HOME OF THE BRAVE

Since I normally do not have music on my blog, I decided that for this post, I'd give you the option of listening to Josh Groban sing the National Anthem of America.











FROM THE SMITHSONIAN WEBSITE:
Francis Scott Key

Attorney Francis Scott Key witnessed the twenty-five hour bombardment of Fort McHenry from a British troopship anchored some four miles away. He had boarded the ship to negotiate the release of an American civilian imprisoned by the British, and had been detained aboard as the bombardment began. On September 14, 1814, as the dawn’s early light revealed a flag flying over the fort, Key exultantly began jotting down the lines of the song that became our national anthem.








The Star-Spangled Banner







O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O 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 conceals, halve discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,

Tis the star-spangled banner - O 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 a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has was'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

O thus be it ever when freeman shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land
raise the power that hath made and preserv'd 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!


HAPPY FLAG DAY. laurie

33 comments:

Pigtown*Design said...

I live about two miles from Fort McHenry, and we're having a big party there tomorrow to celebrate Flag Day.

Here are some pictures:
http://pigtown-design.blogspot.com/2008/08/baltimore-is-not-just-wire.html

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Beautiful post Laurie...May ou have a wonderful flag day...love all your decorating I see here...Now where's the TV...were you tired of seeing me in my old RED robe ha ha !! Love ya girl....Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

A Collector At Heart said...

Laurie,
I love your post! It would be a wonderful 4th of July Post as well!
With my son away at basic training - your post reminded me of how much I truly love my country!
Hugs,
Cindy

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I have been here so many times these last two days...so I figured I would finally write. I keep looking at your bookshelves and just am amazed at your collections in your family room! It is fantastic. I would love to have time just to look at each thing. And those napkin rings are just tooooo cute. There is so much more I could write about..the steins, the plates..etc...but I am not done looking yet!
Have a great weekend!

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Laurie,
This is wonderful!!! Believe it or not I do know some other words...but wonderful just seems to work for everything you do!!!

I am going to get all my stuff out now...you have inspired me...again!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Just the post I needed to see today...It was AWESOME...

I enjoyed reading your blog this afternoon...Had some time to do some blog hopping...always enjoy finding new blogs!
Hope you will visit me. This month I am posting on our Disney trip.

Dixie said...

Laurie... if not for you... I'd have forgotten today was Flag Day... thanks for the reminder and for the wonderfu R/W/B post! God Bless America!

Robin said...

Great post!! Thank you so much!!

{{HUGS}}

Robin ;o)

puddin07 said...

Laurie, Loved this post, and I am blown away by all of your decorating! Beautiful, as always! Happy Flag Day! Love Ya! Connie

Cindy J. said...

All I can say is....Laurie you are amazing! Has everyone read the newest addidtion to "Embracing Eyes"? It is soooo good.. My dear friend you are really something.. Happy Flag Day. Love, Cindy

Four Paws and Co said...

What a beautiful patriotic post! Your mosaics are awesome! ☺ diane

Kathleen said...

Happy Flag Day, June 14, 2009!

A color combination I never tire of..

Home of the free, BECAUSE of the brave..

Sang the national anthem every day of my 33 yr teaching career, never tired of it.
Told the kids they couldn't get out of my class till they knew THEIR National Anthem, and how to spell the days of the week and months of the year...( and a lot of other things! :) I couldn't make them sing it, if they refused, but treat it as a poem, and learn it...
And what it symbolized...

So we can never be reminded enough..and thank you for a beautiful post! Revving up for July 4th!!

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Great post my friend! Smart minds think alike...LOL Hope you are doing well! Happy Flag Day! Susan

Kristens Creations said...

Hi Laurie, what a wonderful post! Thanks for checking out my parent's deck. They really do have a beautiful view. I bet you are enjoying your pool since we are having such nice hot weather. I don't know if you guys got some of that storm that came through yesterday...I'm surprised my trees are still standing. 80 mile per hr. winds...It was crazy! The rest of the week is supposed to be hot and dry. Talk to you soon, Kristen

Bridget said...

Happy Flag Day to you Laurie! This was a spectacular post!

xinex said...

Happy flag day to you too, Laurie! What a beautiful patriotic post. Thanks for publishing the Star Spangled Banner lyrics. I can never memorize them....Christine

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Oh Laurie,
What a grand post! Is there anything you don't have in the way of decor? So much wonderful patriotic goodies and beautiful pics to boot! My goodness, it's always a treat to come here my friend, thanks again for helping me with the big pic thingy. Hugs, Cindy

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Laurie, such a gorgeous post. All of your pictures are perfect. Thanks and have a great Flag Day. Hugs, Marty

Rue said...

Beautiful post Laurie :)

Happy Flag Day!!

xoxo,
rue

Melissa Miller said...

A lovely heartfelt post.
Happy Flag Day! :)

Angie said...

How I do love your photos Laurie. Is it next weeend the sugar roses are needed for? Be sure and publish a photo won't you.

Was lovely to see all your National Anthem printed out. I know the first verse of ours (verse 2 is rarely sung); we were tsught it at school along wth The Lord's Prayer but kids today are not taught either in case it upsets either non-royalists or 'other religions'. Sad.

love, Angie, xx

Robin said...

What a lovely post!
I love your collages as well.
Happy Flag day to you too.
May your day be beautiful.

Soosie said...

Laurie Eve,,Loved what Kathleen the teacher commented about,,bet she was a great teacher, don't you?
I didn't think anybody could beat Martina McBride singing the anthem, but Josh is right up there with her..
beautiful. I love that vintage Flag day poster..so cool. Thanks..my flag is flying today...and everyday.
Susie

Anonymous said...

Hi Laurie! Oh, what a wonderful post! My hand is across my tiny heart now! :) Your mosaics are just beautiful! I'm so glad you decided to come and check me out again! I love your visits! Hope your flag day has been nice!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

santamaker said...

Hi Laurie! Happy Flag Day! Loved your post and girl...you are the BEST mosaic maker of all time! Today is my wedding anniversary...29 years!

The Painted Garden said...

Hi Laurie,

Goodness - gracious - what a fabulous post in honor of Flag Day.
Thank you for sharing and for honoring our flag with your lovely post today.
Have a wonderful week.
Blessings,
Erin

The Painted Garden said...

Hi Laurie,

Goodness - gracious - what a fabulous post in honor of Flag Day.
Thank you for sharing and for honoring our flag with your lovely post today.
Have a wonderful week.
Blessings,
Erin

The Muse said...

May your home~your life and that of your family...rest peacefully under the protection, of Old Glory!

Nance said...

Happy Flag Day, Laurie...and thanks for that national anthem history

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Beautiful Post!!! Love the mosiacs! ~hugs, Rhonda :)

Chandy said...

Love Josh Groban! He did a great job singing the anthem! Happy Flag Day!

Connie said...

Hey laurie, Just love Josh Groban. Even got to see him two years ago and what a show. He's great. Your post is also excellent. There is a site called ~ picnik ~ and it's free. You can make these mosaics, slideshows. and doctor up pictures AND use different fonts. I love it there. Take a peak at picnik.com.
That was nice of you to post for the blogger. I love her home. Just homey !
Those scrapbook pages are from the dark ages. I want to do the more recent ones, but have to get my printer in gear.
Have yourself a good week. We are having super weather finally, too.

SmilingSally said...

I totally forgot Flag Day. I guess I've been consume with my move.