![]() ![]() Indeed, the fact it eventually became the national anthem at all, sung by millions of people over generations, “would have amazed Key.”ĭuring the War of 1812, Key, a prominent lawyer, traveled to Baltimore to secure the release of a high-profile American prisoner. The legend of Francis Scott Key and the creation of his hallowed song, however, contained “as much fantasy as fact,” Clague claims. Over two centuries, “The Star-Spangled Banner” has become “deeply ingrained in the American experience” through patriotic performances, parody, and protest. ![]() But according to Mark Clague, professor of musicology and American culture at the University of Michigan, the anthem was always political and still poses a fundamental question: What does it mean to be American? In O Say Can You Hear?: A Cultural Biography of the Star-Spangled Banner, Clague provides a nuanced response that illuminates the anthem’s legacy and its powerful ability to continually unite - and divide - Americans. In the chaotic climate of present-day America, where patriotism and protest eclipse one another at turns, the playing of our national anthem is increasingly a political act. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |