In my Apple Songs Library I have the 1991 rendition of the American National Anthem. Sung by the fabulous Whitney Houston in the Tampa Stadium ahead of the Super Bowl it is beautiful, as beautiful as she was and her voice. Whitney was accompanied by the Florida Orchestra and after the song the F16 Jets flew over the stadium to recognise those in the American Military serving in the First Gulf War. It was an America personified moment when all that is America could be celebrated. The black lady with the greatest voice leading one of the greatest world sporting Events paying tribute to all colours serving in their Military and all colours enjoying the Sporting Moment.
My wife and I met Whitney at the Dorchester Hotel in London shortly before she tragically died. Whitney was drugged that evening spaced out as she went to cut the ribbon on the opening of a new London Department Store. Her death followed by that of her daughters was one of life’s darkest moment.
As we approach American Independence Day to hear this song brings Majesty to the great nation of America and the amazing allegiance to that Star Spangled Banner. Never before never again is there such a need for all Americans to rally around their flag to forget their differences and focus on what amazing privilege they have to be American. See past the colour and look to what you’ve achieved in your ever so young history. Only 244 years away from the British cousins look at what you’ve done, look at the beauty of your land, the wealth of your nation and the future that lies before you.
The lyrics of the song were written by the lawyer come poet Francis Key, inspired by his witness of Fort McHenry as the British Royal Navy bombarded the Fort in the War of 1812. The song was recognised as the National Anthem following a 1931 Resolution signed by President Herbert Hoover. The tune was written by John Stafford Smith an English man and it is a very difficult song to sing but Whitney did it with such aplomb.
Please America celebrate your Independence Day this 4th July with special effort there and play this all of you on Friday. As for Whitney she died at the tender age of 48 in 2012 and she will be singing in heaven this Friday if you all pull together and move forward away from the hate, the prejudice and the perpetual rant of what’s wrong rather than the cheer of all that is your America. Be the United States that you are and don’t forget we your British cousins still miss you. We need you America we need your Cavalry and maybe even your chlorinated chicken. ( second thoughts we might not go that far ). Lastly support the office of President even if some of you don’t like the incumbent but surely that will always be the case. Stand under that Star Spangled Banner, in that land of the free and home of the Brave. God Bless America, it’s people and it’s President.
qbitblogger 