"THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1223, 4 September 1911, Page 4

"THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER."

AMERICA'S NATIONAL

Owing to there having been somo doubt expressed in Wellington as to what is really the National Anthem of the United States of America, Sousa was communieated with to fettle "tho argument between authorities." Somo folk havo gone as far as to say that; "My Country, "Pis of Thee" was the real American National .Anthem, but it was not so popular, as it was ret to the tunc of "God Save the King." Others have plumped for "Hail, Columbia," and "Yankeo Doodle" has been mentioned. _ Sousa, writes on the subject characteristically:— "Patriotic national airs become so either by ofl'ieial decree, tho will of tho people, or both. 'Tho Star-Spangled Banner is (lie National Song or anthem of tho United States of America, firstly by tlio will of the people, and, secondly, by tho U.S. Service regulations. Tho regulations of the Army and Navy presenile that all port or man-of-war bands shall play tlin National Anthem, 'Star-Spangled: Banner,' at morning and _ evening colours. If on duty tlio soldier stands at attention during the playing of tho Anthem, and if off duty ho takes off his cap. The authority for this is the President, .who is tho Couunander-in-Chiol of tho Army and Navy, The love for tho American tlag is tho embodiment of tho American's patriotism, which finds its highest fervour in love for tho 'S'arSp'anslod Banner,' which stands for all that is best and noblest in liis land. Tho real American stands wlien the 'S.S.B.* is played—not for any other patiiutio song. "The best-known patriotic pongs in tho U.S.A. aro 'Hail, Columbia,' 'Yankeo Poodle,' 'Columbia, tho Gem of tlio Ocean' (or "The lfed, Whiloand Blue ), and 'My Country, Tis of Thee," 1.1111 tho inost rocoiit one is my own, Iho Stcira and Stripes for Ever.' It was written iust before tho late 'unpleasantness with 'Spain, and is used by schools and gatherings as a patriotic song, apart fixmi its uso as a march. T compiled many years ago a book for the U.S. Government (when master of the National Band at Washington) of tho national patriotic ni 11 -ao of tho world, which was the result of a goad deal of historical research."