Francis Scott Key Rolls Over in his Grave

Well, I can't back that up; but I do know that Francis Scott Key's great-great-grandson Charles Key is not happy about the Spanish language rewrite of America's National Anthem.

He believes that his great-great-grandfather's lyrics should not be altered. Key says, "I think it’s a despicable thing that someone is going into our society from another country and changing our national anthem."From ABC News:

A group of Spanish music stars has presented its own take on the national anthem for Latino immigrants, in their native language, titled "Nuestro Himno" or "Our Anthem."

The idea came from music executive Adam Kidron, who sympathized with the recent immigrant demonstrations but was troubled by the number of Mexican flags in the crowd.

He hopes the new Spanish-language version of the national anthem will demonstrate Latino patriotism and encourage more American flags at the demonstrations.

"It has the passion, it has the respect, it has all of the things that you really want an anthem to have and it carries the melody," said Kidron.

Where to begin...

Let's start with the title, "Nuestro Himno" or "Our Anthem."

In the past, when artists "reinterpreted" the National Anthem, it wasn't retitled. Sure, there have been many versions of the anthem over the years, but this remake is more of a redo.

"Nuestro Himno" sends a message that is far more exclusive than inclusive.

The creators claim they are trying to show Latino patriotism. I think they do. They succeed in showing Latino patriotism, but not American patriotism.

I don't see how the new version of the National Anthem will "encourage more American flags at the demonstrations." Why would it?

If the protesters, the illegal immigrants, want to claim allegiance to America, then it's not too smart to alter the National Anthem.

The current version will likely spark debate, because it is not an exact translation. Some of the classic lyrics have been changed for rhyming reasons while other phrases were altered to soften war references. For example:

English version: And the rockets red glare, bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Spanish version: In the fierce combat, the sign of victory, the flame of battle in step with liberty through the night it was said it was being defended.

The LA Times has some more of the tampered lyrics.

[A]n English translation of parts of the second verse of "Nuestro Himno" reads:

"The time has come to break the chains.

Throughout the night they proclaimed, 'We will defend it!'

Tell me! Does its starry beauty still wave

Above the land of the free,

The sacred flag?"

Uh..., "break the chains"?

That's dramatically straying from the original. The National Anthem is not a protest song.

In my opinion, "The time has come to break the chains" doesn't evoke the "one nation under God" or "E pluribus unum" message that defines America.

NPR provides a complete English translation of "Nuestro Himno." Compare the versions.

A Los Angeles AP report presents differing viewpoints on the anthem debate.

Singer Andy Andy, who contributed to the recording, said on local Spanish radio station 107.5 FM, that the translation paid "careful attention to the essence" of the national anthem.

"It's a respectful translation," he said.

Shopkeeper Isala Sanchez disagreed. While she supports immigration reform and plans to stay home from work Monday, she said the translation shows "a lack of respect."

"Other countries wouldn't like it if we did that to their anthems," she said in Spanish. "I really hate it. It's a song for the United States. It would be better to make a new song for immigrants."

The problem I have with the reworked anthem is that it is disrespectful.

Of course, it's not nearly as disrespectful as the people who violate the laws of the United States.

Let's remember: A Spanish National Anthem isn't criminal, but entering the country illegally is.

I think the reason "Nuestro Himno" is striking a nerve is because the U.S. National Anthem, by definition, represents America. We are united by it. In that sense, it's a powerful symbol of who we are and what we share.

A bastardized version of "The Star Spangled Banner" could be viewed as an attack on the national soul.

Is taking such a stance lending the issue far too much importance? Possibly. Probably.

Still, I think the creators of "Nuestro Himno" chose a poor title. "We Won't Assimilate" would be more fitting.

Do illegals want to be Americans?

If they do, they need to act like it.


The Star-Spangled Banner
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 thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, 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 through 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 in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh 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 washed 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!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it 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!