Stars and Stripes Forever

Well after spending over an hour looking for the perfect clip of "Stars and Stripes Forever" to honor our nation's birthday with countless images rushing through my head...this is what I landed on:

I hope you enjoy and please reflect upon these words also.

Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
The emblem of the brave and true
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom's shield and hope.

Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.

Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.

Let eagle shriek from lofty peak
The never-ending watchword of our land;
Let summer breeze waft through the trees
The echo of the chorus grand.
Sing out for liberty and light,
Sing out for freedom and the right.
Sing out for Union and its might,
O patriotic sons.

Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation,
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.

Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with might endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray,
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.

So my Daddy could very well be at his wits end for me not choosing an orchestral clip. I reminisce of the times when Dad and I would sit side by side---he in his wheelchair and me at the edge on the bleacher-- watching the Tuscarawas Philharmonic do John Phillip Sousa proud. Daddy's hands would clasp then release, clasp then release not necessarily clapping and a tear would well up. I'll not say whether it was mine or his. I would rush to the concession stand and get ice cream during intermission. But that's for my Labor Day post.

Here is a little history into the making of this piece of American music....

"Here came one of the most vivid incidents of my career. As the vessel (the Teutonic) steamed out of the harbor I was pacing on the deck, absorbed in thoughts of my manager's death and the many duties and decisions which awaited me in New York. Suddenly, I began to sense a rhythmic beat of a band playing within my brain. Throughout the whole tense voyage, that imaginary band continued to unfold the same themes, echoing and re-echoing the most distinct melody. I did not transfer a note of that music to paper while I was on the steamer, but when we reached shore, I set down the measures that my brain-band had been playing for me, and not a note of it has ever changed." ....John Phillip Sousa

Oh Dad... you win! Here's the orchestra!

Happy Independence Day my friends!

Hugs, Happiness and Harmony,
Julie