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By Mike Magers

The individual who wrote the lyrics to our National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” was Francis Scott Key (1779 – 1843), an American lawyer born in Maryland. He practiced law in Maryland and was well known in District of Columbia life. In addition to his law practice, he wrote poems, hymns and articles on legal topics. Key was an Episcopalian by faith. He was active in his denomination and his personal faith was reflected in his hymns and other compositions.

A listing of his hymns would include the following(1):

• Faith
• If Life’s Pleasures Charm Thee
• Lord, With Glowing Heart I’d Praise Thee
• L. M./God, Art Thou My Father?
• Praise for Redemption
• The Home of the Soul
• The Bethel Flag
• When Troubles Wave on Wave Assailed

Some of his writing was posthumously published by his brother-in-law. Favorite topics of Key’s centered around patriotism, religious faith and related themes. His most famous work, however was “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The ultimate origin of the melody or tune is said to be unknown, though it is attributed to John Stafford Smith, (1750-1836). Smith was a British composer, organist, and musicologist best known for writing the melody for “The Anacreontic Song,” which later was paired with Key’s poem and adopted as the tune for the national anthem of the United States, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” in 1931.

Key’s poem was written during the War of 1812 and specifically a battle in 1814 in which British forces bombarded Fort McHenry by British forces. Key was inspired by seeing that the American flag had endured the British naval attack.

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One hundred years later, the Austin American in its issue of August 2, 1914 carried the following article:

State Program, Daughters of 1812

In accordance with the proclamation that has been issued by Governor O. B. Colquitt to the people of Texas to celebrate the centennial of the Battle of Baltimore and the writing of the “Star Spangled Banner” by Frances Scott Key, a program has been arranged by the Daughters of the United States War of 1812 in Texas for that occasion.

The proclamation was issued by invitation of the Governor of Maryland to the Governors of all the States to make the writing of our National air a National and State as well as local affair.

It is earnestly requested by the tate committee Daughters of 1812, to whom Governor Colquitt entrusted the program for the celebration, that every city, every school and church will join in the celebration. The following is the program:

Program

Centennial celebration of the writing of the “Star Spangled Banner,” September 13, 1914, arranged by the United States Daughters of 1812 in Texas:

Call to order and introduction by the Mayor.
Invocation. minister.
Song, “America,” audience and band.
Song, “Lead. Kindly Light,” choirs of churches.
Song, “Star Spangled Banner,” school children.
Address, “Christian Citizenship,” minister.
Lord’s prayer, audience.
Music, “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,” “Star Spangled Banner, band.

All military organizations, navy. labor day committees and public at large are invited to assist.

Committee: Mrs. E. P. Smith, chairman; Mrs. George Massie, Mrs. 0. B. Colquitt, Mrs. J. E. Howze, Miss Ethel Bowman, Miss Imogen Fulmore.

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(1) Hymnary.org