Verses chopped out of the National Anthem

[WKUHilltopper]

Many probably weren't aware that the original had references to God. I remember as a kid hearing these in school. But this was back in the early 60s. But just remember, we're not a Christian nation and shouldn't be singing about or recognizing God--especially in the National Anthem. That just would be too obvious.


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, half 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 washed 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 freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved 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!

[mattfivefour]

Bro, nothing was "chopped out": the lyrics to the National Anthem were never more than the first verse of Francis Scott Keys' poem. And it did not become the national anthem until 117 years after it was written. Most people can barely stay still long enough for the one verse to be sung. You think they'd stand for all four?