Revising History

Why would Francis Scott Key, the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner”, direct our attention to a band of mercenaries and slaves as the “foul” foe in the rarely sung third verse of his historic song? It’s difficult to understand why the British fleet attacking us was not the clear enemy in his account of the invasion at our Star Fort. One could offer many explanations for the author’s convictions as he enthusiastically detailed the events just witnessed.

Perhaps in Key’s detainment at sea he considered his dire situation while watching the bombardment ensue. Then later, following his release without harm, he felt the gentlemen-like character of the British had earned Old England a skewed criticism in his four eloquent verses. Thankful that his life was spared, and the lives of the two acquaintances with him, Key may have simply opted to point his pen at the lowest ranking British troops who fought on land during the attack in place of proclaiming victory over the civil commanders who had so graciously freed them all from captivity just hours earlier.

Or, perhaps his intention truly was to vilify the Royal Navy’s hired mercenaries and a group of runaway slaves that signed allegiance to England in hopes of earning their freedom. We may never know the truth. However, it should be noted that the escaped colonial slaves who fought for England in the Battle of Baltimore also helped lead enemy troops the week prior into Washington D.C. to assist in the burning of both the White House and the U.S. Capitol, and they were few in number - less than 200. 

In our current day, this storyline is cause for considerable grief throughout the Union as the beloved National Anthem continues to be protested. And while a rewritten third verse may not dull the pain of injustice many feel as the original song contains the word “slave” and yet remains protected by lawmakers, the words penned below simply offer a chance to read a slave-free version of our anthem that still keeps with the author’s patriotic theme of declaring victory over a boastful adversary.