Star Spangled Banner
(Aaron Keith Nicholson, Francis Scott Key, and John Stafford Smith]

After freedom was ours tyrants schemed and swore
Stirred up another war, more pain and destruction
To crush and rule us again, from mountain top to sea shore
Many sacrificed to cleanse our land of those tyrants despotic pollution
Make their red legions about face, striper, brass and slave
And fade away in heeling ships or the grave

[CHORUS]
Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Detained on a mission offshore, Francis Scott Key
Saw the sight seen round the world, it thrilled him heart and soul
O’er the line of ships that held, the other breaking up to leave
O’er the blasted end run trail, loved ones silent still and cold
In the new day dawning, mirrored in the Chesapeake
Shining gloriously, guidon for the just and free
[CHORUS]

Oh say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there
[CHORUS]

Cherish our great land, the freedoms each of us has
Our children, all works of God/Creator of Existence
Remember those who sacrificed, who do what they can
For the freedom, the opportunity gained beyond the tribulation
Of that tasks most righteous, secure the way true to us
Uphold our rights and justice. In our Maker/God is our trust
[CHORUS]
STAR SPANGLED BANNER Copyright 2013 by Aaron Keith Nicholson of the new material not in previous versions of "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER" by Francis Scott Key, John Stafford Smith, or anyone else