Obviously as a Brit, I have a slightly different take on it. It's a jolly tune - British 18th century drinking song actually. Whenever I am in the US officiating or simply watching a game, I always sing along to the "rockets red glare" part as they were British rockets.
The War of 1812 is one of my interests, I've visited one or two of the historical sites. A rather pointless affair that neither side can take much credit from and it ended in a tie.
The most moving rendition of a national anthem I ever heard was when I officiated at the European U-19 championships in Berlin way back in 1994. France were playing Denmark. The players all lined up for the anthems. The French anthem played and then the German announcer came on the PA and in halting english said that they were very sorry but they couldn't find the CD with the Danish anthem on it. I've met a few Danish folks in my time and you couldnt wish to meet a more laid back easy going bunch, but the Danish coach was spittin' feathers!
He turned to his team and said "Sing!" (I assume that's what he said, it was in Danish
). They straightened their backs and sang their anthem acapella. By the end of it, the tears were streaming down those young men's cheeks. We were lined up at midfield and I was starting to fill up myself!
They were outclassed by France and lost the game, but I suspect none of those players will ever forget that day.
