Whether it is country, jazz, pop or the somber sounds of the Mississippi Blues, music tells the story of American culture and has defined many of its generations - even in its earliest days.
When the country was just in its infancy and fighting for its independence from the British, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem "Defense of Fort McHenry," better known these days as "The Star Spangled Banner."
The poem or lyrics tell the story of Key seeing the American flag with its "broad stripes and bright stars," after the "bombs bursting in air," from the British attack on Baltimore.
"The national anthem is one of the greatest parts of our American history," said Lane Thompson, band director at J.Z. George High School. "Key beautifully tells the story as we make that final reach, that grasp that would lead to freedom."
"Music is one of the greatest forms of patriotism." — Lane Thompson
Like many American patriotic tunes, the words of the poem were set to an already popular folk song - in this case an old English drinking song.
But it isn't just the catchy and easy to remember tune that helped it gain popularity. The anthem conjures up emotions through its ability to marry powerful words with a well-known tune.
Thompson asks how it is possible not to feel a stirring devotion and dedication to your homeland when listening to or singing along with the words that tell the beginning of this country.
| Popular Patriotic Songs
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| ”The Star Spangled Banner” |
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”America (My Country ’Tis of Thee)”
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| ”America the Beautiful” |
| ”The Battle Hymn of the Republic” |
| ”Yankee Doodle” |
| ”God Bless the USA” |
| ”Over There” |
| ”This Land is Your Land” |
| ”You’re a Grand Old Flag” |
| ”I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy” |
"During the Olympics you hear athletes say after winning the gold medal that hearing their national anthem from the top of the podium is one of the greatest honors," he said. "There is definitely emotion behind every country's tune."
Sports games are one of the places keeping patriotic music a tradition.
Before most athletic events, what do you hear? The national anthem, of course. Sometimes, it's performed by popular singers or bands and others by a community member or school choir.
There are few times, other than at sports events and holidays such as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, that traditional patriotic music gets a lot of air time.
In 2001, Thompson was in school at the University of Mississippi when the United States went to war.
"The band started playing ‘God Bless America' at every performance to show its support," he said.
Music has the ability to unify, but it's not just in bad times.
For events such as honoring a former president who has passed or the inauguration of a new one, popular patriotic songs will make a resurgence or new songs are sometimes composed.
However, there are not many radio stations that play "Stars and Stripes Forever" in the middle of February.
If you think about it, however, the sounds of this country are constantly surrounding us and changing.
By definition, patriotism is having or expressing devotion or vigorous support for your country. Put patriotic in front of the word music, and the same should hold true. It is music expressing the feeling of nationality and honor.
It is easy to recognize when listening to an orchestra or band. With their booming drums and majestic brass section swelling together, those groups have always been associated with patriotic music. It's not always that obvious and bold. Having developed in the United States, Texas Swing, which is the melding of country and swing music, could be considered a new form of patriotic music
"Music is one of the greatest forms of patriotism," Thompson said. "New genres are created and evolve and defy rules that had previously constrained music. Being able to explore new sounds with an instrument or create new instruments is a freedom in itself."
From jazz music with its stronghold in New Orleans to bluegrass with its ties to Appalachia, some may argue that any music could be considered patriotic.
Blues tells the story of struggle. It may represent one of the saddest times in our nation's history, but it has the ability to preserve the past as well.
"What is a better example than country music," said Thompson. "It tells about the common man through stories. That's patriotic."
Patriotic music has had one of the strongest holds in country music because it is music about the people and for the people. Songs such as "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and "Yankee Doodle" are set to the tunes of old, popular folk songs.
With all these styles of music coming together in one country, patriotic music has developed in different ways throughout the country's regions.
"It shows the uniqueness of America," Thompson said.
And whether the music reflects traditional values or social change, it represents one of the most fundamental freedoms in this country - the freedom of speech.
This Fourth of July, celebrate with the patriotic music of your choice. After all, it is the story of you.
•Contact Andrea Hall at ahall@gwcommonwealth.com
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