And The Star Spangled Banner in Triumph Shall Wave

but in any language, it's unsingable (as well as being a glorification of war).

The last time I could reach that F on "free" (it's there on the word "glare" as well) was in high school as a mezzo and even then it was a stretch.

Slate has a good take on it along with some alternative suggestions. I vote for "This Land is Your Land", but then I would.

For a version of our National Anthem in yet another language, check out Delilah Boyd from a few days ago. I almost choked on my coffee.

And this is a plug for Delilah's blog. She is a true original.

When I was a kid we walked uphill both ways five miles through blizzard and pouring rain (oops - not what I meant to say) When I was a kid, we learned all the verses of our National Anthem and I still remember most of it. The title is, I think, from the last verse. Now I listen to my girls mangle it in three different keys at the same time, all screeching, and cringe.

When an entire assembly of elementary students, plus their "band", get together, it's unbelievable.

Enjoy the Slate article and Delilah.