DISQUS

jeri · 1 year ago

Some other notes of interest:



1. The tune of the SSB was that of an English drinking song. Are we a nation of lushes or what?



2. The song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" is actually in the Presbyterian Hymnal-we actually sung it at least once (though I doubt our voices did it justice).



3. I wish Hickenlooper would be as outraged when the Denver cops brutalize people and the taxpayers are on the hook for millions of dollars to the families of those brutalized.



This is a tempest in a teapot-Hickenlooper, get a grip! Peace.

freshbaked · 1 year ago

This article raises dishonesty to new level. Comparing it to Hendrix is ludicrous - his was an artistic performance where he gave exactly what was expected. He had not agreed to play a different song and switched to another that he knew his hosts would not have wanted. And he didn't lie about it afterward. There was one thing in common though, they both performed to enhance there own reputations.

The Key history is interesting, but Rene never mentions him, but makes an entirely different argument citing the lyrics as the problem. There was nothing patriotic about her rendition, and if she rejects the original, why use its tune? The Mayor, the Council, Denver employees and citizens where all made to look foolish by this stunt, and frankly it did a disservice to all black people, who will now be viewed a little more sceptically than before. If you think that's a good result, and a patriotic one, you are simply nuts.

dogwaltzer · 1 year ago

I believe that in revolutionary times, lying to get ones way might be justified, but in most times, we all benefit from honesty and forthrightness. While I give Rene Marie every right to show artistic expression, when she was asked to do one thing, agreed to do it, and then did something else, she was dishonest. Her dishonesty affected other people, most particularly the mayor. In my opinion it lacks integrity to take a gig under false pretenses and to spurn the people who asked you to do it by doing something different, even if the point she made is an important one. i apprecitate the history of key and am enlightened all the more for it, though it appears that was not a part of Rene Marie's objection to the SSB. I too have always thought the words which focus on our victory in battle miss so much of the depth of this country. But to miss Marie, she should have been honest with the people who ased her to sing.

wildflower · 1 year ago

Jefferson, this was a very informative and researched piece of writing of the history regarding this song. Wonderful job!

However, I have to agree with freshbaked. When Ms.Marie agreed to sing The Star Spangled Banner she knew full well which version was expected.

If she wanted to sing other than what was expected, she should have asked Mayor Hick for permission to do BOTH versions and received his permission.

When the Philharmonic played in North Korea, they played BOTH The Star Spangled Banner and the Korean National Anthem.

Ms. Marie needs to understand that the Star Spangled Banner, irregrardless of the history behind it, has deep meaning to many Americans who came here from all over the world to begin a new life, leaving behind the lives of poverty and oppression to begin a life of hope. This includes many people from Africa also. Not everyone in this country is a descendant of slaves or slave holders, and to assume that is incorrect and arrogant.

I don't see a lot of creativeness, artistry, originality when Ms. Marie is singing someone else's words to someone else's music.



I personally am at frst apprehensive when people sing The Star Spangled Banner because it has such a note range that few people can sing it well.

I would rather hear it played by a service band or the Philharmonic

or John Phillips Sousa!! But it is the National Anthem of my country and I, like most Americans, get chills down my spine when I hear it.

It is not a perfect country, it has been raped and pillaged for 8 years, but I am still privileged to live here and we will soon reclaim our beautiful America.

I'm sure all the immigrants who became citizens this past year are glad to hear it too on this 4th of July. "and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air..gave proof throught the night, that our flag was still there..."

thegrunt · 1 year ago

The Star Spangled Banner



Composed by Francis Scott Key, "In Defense of Fort McHenry", September 20, 1814. Congress proclaimed it the U.S. National Anthem in 1931.



Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?



On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:

'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!



And where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion

A home and a country should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.



O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,

Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

drake · 1 year ago

If the assertion that " African-American patriotism required a different.. [from The Star Spangled Banner].. tune." is true. We as a people, and as a country are doomed!

rabblerouser · 1 year ago

Charlie Brown is either a bigot or an opportunist cashing in on others bigotry. He is a disgrace and the controversy here SHOULD surround the horrible things he's said. Hickenlooper and Ritter are simply cowards who are saying what they think people want to hear.

When something as petty and meaningless as a person singing a song raises so much controversy, it is a sign that our country's priorities have fallen further into the toilet than ever before.

Even if this woman was asked to sing the star-spangled banner, completely "lied" about what she would sing, and did so as maliciously as possible, WHO CARES?! What is the big deal? Who has been hurt or harmed? And how dare Hickenlooper, Ritter, or anyone else making such a big deal out of nothing call her song a distraction? What's the distraction? Her song? Or our elected official and the media making such a big deal out of it?

This is being turned into Janet Jackson's boob but worse and it is disgusting. I have to imagine people in other countries are watching this and thinking Americans are the pettiest and most misguided idiots in the entire world!

wildflower · 1 year ago

WHO CARES?

Let's say Steven Tyler, who does a fantastic version of "Amazing Grace"

performed before the congregation of a black church, was asked to perform at another church, based on his terrific performance of Amazing Grace. Let's say when he showed up at that church he did a rendition of "You Shook Me All Night Long" or his great song with Willie: "Once is Enough"....or some such...

Wouldn't that be inappropriate snd not what was expected and implied with the invitation? It would be downright dishonest. And I'll guarantee the congregants would be upset.

jaymack · 1 year ago

Kudos to Jefferson Morley for the background on Francis Scott Key (I learned something new) and the thoughtful analysis on the 'firestorm'. If people could take the time to read what Rene Marie had to say about her suite - 'Voice of My Beautiful Country', it might open their hearts (assuming they have an open mind). Actually, 'The Star Spangled Banner / Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing' is the 3rd movement of the suite: http://www.renemarie.com/news.htm



Ms. Marie says she loved singing both songs but felt a sense segregation in each song. Her 3rd movement was an attempt to "marry" the two. See her answer to the question: "Weren't you promoting racism by singing the black national anthem instead of the national anthem?" The 8th question on the page http://www.renemarie.com/qa.htm



OK: She was deceptive with Mayor Hickenlooper. True. But her love of America should not be in question unless you believe the merchants of fear and hate. Should she be condemned as Tom Tancredo wants to do? Not in my book, unless what you really want is an all white America.

stanislaus · 1 year ago

I have a difficult time comprehending how any commentaries support Ms. Marie. She claims to have made her decision based on her desire to be recognized as an artist. I don't read any commentaries recognizing the fact that the mayor invited Ms. Marie to sing based on her singing ability as an artist! So why should this mayor or any of his cadre have to "get a grip"? Quite the contrary, isn't it Ms. Marie that needs to get a grip?

Her act of switching wasn't a question of patriotism, an act of defending her race, or being correct about her perspective. She performed an act of selfishness rather than sacrifice, interested in getting her point heard rather than pleasing her audience. That is not artistry, that is selfish greed.

She was asked to provide a service -- a contribution to open a meeting by her singing the recognized U.S. "National Anthem". As tradition and agreement normally dictate, and being the time of year to celebrate America's Independence Day, the song was offered in tribute to our country, not Ms. Marie. The choice of music was not hers to make whether she was black, white, purple, green, or other color of human variety.

As far as being recognized, doesn't she or anyone understand she was chosen to sing IN RECOGNITION OF HER ARTISTRY AND TALENT? She was actually in a position revered by many people who wish they had such talent or were selected for such an honor. As a black woman, her being selected demonstrated her being chosen to represent a position of public trust, respect, and admiration by her community peers. Ms. Marie violated that honor by violating their trust in her. The lyrics she chose were not ones our troops or Americans currently recognize as their "National Anthem".

If anyone needs to "get a grip", Ms. Marie needs to realize she made an agreement to represent ALL AMERICANS, REGARDLESS of their color, race, creed, or her personal feelings. She claims she made the switch because she wouldn't have been allowed to do what she did if she had asked for permission. How many other artists and Americans are free to do and say what suits them when in a professional capacity? Almost all professions require character that seeks to please customers or superiors rather than offend them. Ms. Marie's task was not to speak or change the program to suit HER interests or cause, her task was to represent America as most people regard it, even though she prefers some other expression. If she didn't want to sing what she knew was expected, she should have had the courage and dignity to refuse to sing when offered the role, citing her reasons. THAT would have been the character of an artist. The first rule Ms. Marie and some blog commentators need to realize is that being an artist means being true to yourself, and to your audience. Deceit does not portray being true.

In all fairness to Rene, she learned a lesson we all have to learn in life. She just made her mistake in very plain view. Her biggest mistake, however, is not in what she did, but rather her failure to realize that she owes her audience, and America, an apology for misrepresenting herself, and especially, the nation. That is not just a mistake, that is a tragedy.

siskiyouskyline · 1 year ago

I wish Jefferson Morley was a bit more accurate. The NAACP isindeed ONE of the oldest civil rights groups in the US, was founded on Feb. 12 1909. The men and women that deserve recognition for that are W. E. B. Du Bois (African American), Ida B. Wells (African American), Archibald Grimk?

wildflower · 1 year ago

Of course Ms. Marie can say or sing whatever she wants.

However, so far as I know she was asked to sing THE National Anthem, not HER National Anthem or A National Anthem. I agree she PROBABLY did not mean to insult anyone, but at the same time she knew she would, that's why she didn't clear it with the mayor first.

Our USA Olympic Athletes in China will have THE National Anthem of the United States played, not HER version or A version. We are trying very hard to be one people, united, in this country. We've come a long way, but obviously we have much further to go.