Rewriting the Star-Spangled Banner

[victor]

If I understand it right the instrumental version of the Star-Spangled Banner will begin being played at Goshen next week.

Why not collaborate to give them something worth singing?

Here's a first draft:

Love-Splattered Cross

O say can you see
our Confession of Faith?
Proclaiming to all,
“the global Church is our nation”.
Choosing suffering not sword,
in the perilous fight,
Jesus tempted by power,
Told us “Worship God only."
The Anabaptists red glare,
Bodies burned into prayer,
Call for proof in our lives,
Jesus’ love is still there.
O say does that love-splattered cross yet wave.
In hearts made truly free
and in martyrs made brave?

FYI the tune of the Star-Spangled Banner comes from a song called the “The Anacreontic Song” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacreontic_Song). Rewriting lyrics for this tune is therefore in keeping with American traditions. If the tune can support lyrics of eroticism and nationalism no reason it can’t support lyrics more faithful to MCUSA’s Confession of Faith for use at MCUSA institutions.

Download footnoted version here: http://tinyurl.com/y858dkm

[Porter Doran]

I can't wait till Brenneman has them playing instrumental versions of "The Marseillaise" -- with different words implied, of course! After all, a tune per se doesn't mean anything.

[Elpolloloco]

The tune to the star spangled banner was originally an English drinking song.

[glasshaus]

Originally Posted by Elpolloloco

The tune to the star spangled banner was originally an English drinking song.

I think everyone should band together to get the words to the drinking song- specifically sing that and see how long they still want to play it.

[Elpolloloco]

Originally Posted by glasshaus

I think everyone should band together to get the words to the drinking song- specifically sing that and see how long they still want to play it.

http://www.potw.org/archive/potw234.html

[glasshaus]

Originally Posted by Elpolloloco

http://www.potw.org/archive/potw234.html

verse 4. They should sing verse 4.

[Elpolloloco]

Originally Posted by glasshaus

verse 4. They should sing verse 4.

Amen. Even though "crackers" refers to lightning bolts, not rednecks, it will likely be interpreted that way.

Of course, the entire song is about having a "good time," in more than one way (hence the references to Bacchus).

[Porter Doran]

Ah our classics-addled forebears. What luck now to study algebra rather than the Attic in sixth grade.

(My vote's verse three.)

[jessethejoker]

Rewriting the star spangled banner... sounds like a good idea. i'll get to work ASAP.