So as we learned earlier today, the Fighting Mennonites of Goshen College in Indiana have dumped the National Anthem at its sporting events, deeming the song too violent, and therefore not in concert with its religious beliefs. Actually, they are not called the Fighting Mennonites at all (sorry). Their sports mascot is the Maple Leaf — the most fearsome of all foliage. This is appropriate, as the Mennonite religion is dedicated to pacifism and has, throughout the centuries, perfected the fine art of fleeing. In fact, the Mennonites are so benign and peace-loving that, in the early 18th century, they were kicked out of Switzerland. You really have to be pacifistic to get bullied by the Swiss.
Goshen had not bothered with playing the National Anthem at all until last year, when they broke out an instrumental-only version at two sporting events. Then a month ago the college board of directors tasked college President Jim Brenneman with finding a new song to play prior to games — one that people could sing along to. Thank goodness Brenneman does not appear to be a country music fan, because that could have been disastrous. “Please rise as we honor America by singing ‘I’ve Got Friends in Low Places.’ “
After much soul searching and iPod listening, Brenneman came up with America the Beautiful. A plucky little song, and patriotic, although not easy to dance to. So this will become Goshen College’s new go-to tune before baseball games, etc.
Much of America was not amused.
It just takes a look at the comments section of our post this morning to get a glimpse of the controversy this has generated. (If your comment didn’t make it, it most likely got flagged for profanity, or references to sexual positions not found in nature). Many of you take it as a slap in America’s face that a college would ban the National Anthem from its campus.
It’s true, the Anthem is based on a violent event: The bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships during the War of 1812. There’s mention of rockets, bombs bursting in air, and tattered fabrics. The Mennonites say that this is all against their religious beliefs: that perhaps it would have been better if, when the British arrived, we had simply fled … just as chronicled in the film Love and Death, when it was announced that Napoleon had invaded Russia. Woody Allen, playing Boris, says he doesn’t want to fight:
MIKHAIL: “Our brother is a coward!”
BORIS: “Yes, but I’m a militant coward.”
MIKHAIL: “He has a yellow streak running down his back!”
BORIS: “No, not down … it runs across.”
Similarly, pacifism is not fashionable in the United States these days, and those eschewing The Star-Spangled Banner are just seen as lousy communists, or worse … Canadians.
But isn’t Goshen just passing on a song that, at sporting events at least, is long past its prime?
Some fun facts about The Star-Spangled Banner: Although written by Francis Scott Key in 1814, it wasn’t adopted for official use by our military until 1889, by the Navy. And it didn’t officially become our anthem until 1931, when Herbert Hoover decided we needed a pick-me-up during the Great Depression. Before 1931, songs such as Hail, Columbia and My Country, ‘Tis of Thee were more often thought of as our national anthem.
The Star-Spangled Banner was played sporadically at Major League Baseball games as early as 1897, but it didn’t become a permanent institution until World War II, when it was used by owners to deflect criticism that a boy’s game was still being played while men were dying overseas. And the tradition stuck, to the point where it’s now played before every sporting event, be it MLB, NFL, NHL, Little League, Monster Truck Rally, whatever.
We are told time and again that to fail to sing the SSB, or to not respectfully remove one’s chapeau while it’s being played, is akin to taking a Bic lighter to the American flag. And you’d better place your hand over your heart during the process, lest you be thought a feckless traitor. (Those without actual hearts, such as employees of the IRS and reality show producers, are exempt).
Now, no one loves America more than me, except perhaps Apollo Creed. But I say it may be time to put The Star-Spangled Banner out to pasture, and let another song have its turn as our National Anthem. The SSB is impossible to sing, the lyrics are hard to remember and it’s too long. Also there’s always the chance the Christina Aguilera could get her hands on it again. In the age of micro technology, The Star-Spangled Banner is a papyrus scroll in a clay jar. If I instead sing America the Beautiful or Hail, Columbia or Ain’t That America by John Mellancamp, it doesn’t mean that I love the USA any less. I’m still singing, for God’s sake. It’s just different words that mean the same thing.
Our soldiers aren’t fighting for an old poem that was set to the tune of a British drinking song (true story). They’re fighting for a much larger concept, which includes the freedom to change things if we choose. And freedom of religion. Remember that little notion? The Star-Spangled Banner was not chiseled in stone by the Founding Fathers, but scribbled in pencil by a guy who was, coincidentally, sitting out a battle. Like our Constitution, it should be a living document, not Han Solo frozen in carbonite. It should be subject to revisions now and again.
No, freedom isn’t free. But its high notes also shouldn’t be so hard to reach.
***
Rick’s Cafe Americain appears on Thursdays. Contact: Rickchand@gmail.com.
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- indyeagle - Aug 26, 2011 at 2:00 AM
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I wouldn’t say someone, who was a truce negotiator and was held captive, was “fleeing” a battle, but that’s just me. Not that F.S.K. is going to be offended by your insult, but I thought I would defend his honor.
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- florida727 - Aug 27, 2011 at 6:41 AM
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It’s NOT time to get rid of the National Anthem. It’s time to get rid of the idiots they select to sing it at national events. I really had no idea the song lasted 17 minutes, or that “home of the brave” had 32 syllables to it. Who knew?
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- richm2256 - Aug 27, 2011 at 9:07 AM
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Aaa haaannn eennnnnddddd thhhhhhheeee-eehhhh-eeeh-ehhhh hooooo-ooooohhh-hoooooooommm-mmmeeeeeee offfffff aaaahhhhhhhhh thhhhhhh-eeeeeeeh- eeehhhhh- ehhhhh
buuuuuuuuhhhhh- huuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhh- uuuuhhhhhhhhhhhh- raaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh- aaaayyyyyyyyyyyy – evvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeee – uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhSincerely,
Christina Aggggggg-aaaaaaa-uuuuuuuuuu-llllllaaaaaaarrrrr- uuuuuuhhhh
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- jimguida - Aug 26, 2011 at 11:23 AM
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That’s bold talk for a one-eyed, fatman, Chandler. For the record, I put the wheels on this “Let’s get a new national anthem” bandwagon. Check it out at http://mustbeguida.com/index.php?p=1_18_-If-I-was-in-charge-
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- elvoid - Aug 26, 2011 at 2:06 PM
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No, we don’t need nor will we we have a new national anthem. It has not “jumped the shark.”
What has jumped the shark, however, is the over the top, ridiculous, egocentric renditions of the anthem that people that pass as pop stars usually give it.
Whitney Houston nailed it years ago. Her version was powerful, emotional, and above all – within traditional framework. Since then, more and more go through vocal histrionics to try and top that performance and “make it their own.” It can’t be done. You can’t “make the anthem your own” because it is bigger that that and it belongs to all of us. It’s bigger than you, Christina Aguilara. Take the time to learn the damn words and sing it straight or not at all.
So rather than canning it altogether, just play it straight – have it sung traditionally, powerfully and honestly by any number of accomplished vocalists. Stop making it a show – it is not a show – it is a moment of respect and reflection. Get back to that and the anthem is just fine.
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- texangirl - Aug 26, 2011 at 2:20 PM
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Whitney Houston pre-recorded the National Anthem. She was lip-syncing. Her pre-recorded was done the right way. But back to the main point.
No, the Star-Spangled Banner has not jumped the shark.
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- elvoid - Aug 26, 2011 at 10:15 PM
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The pre-recorded nature of the performance was irrelevant to the quality of the rendition. It set the mark.
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- ctyanker4 - Aug 27, 2011 at 4:30 AM
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A zillion times easier to sing in the studio than live. The best one I have ever heard was the late Lou Rawls (live) on Monday Night Football some years back. Cosell drooled.
That being said, great article Mr. C. I see no need for the song before every game. I am an American–don’t need a song or even a flag to prove it.
And for all you Tea Party-types, just because someone good-naturedly criticizes a hidebound tradition, try some decaf, instead of the shopworn “love it or leave it” bull doo-doo.
To boot, it is a cumbersome melody, too long, and can become onerous, even when sung correctly. You want a great anthem, look to our neighbors in the Great White North. Their song, a beautiful and brief one, commemorates their country, not a single battle.
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- ww2chas - Aug 26, 2011 at 2:38 PM
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YOU SAID IT! I’m tired of “singers” trying to make singing the SSB a show. And DON”T try and change the tune either!
Whitney Houston’s rendition was right on. So what that it was lip-synced! Most of the time a famous group sings it that is the process! She still HAD to have sung it correctly when she recorded it!
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- philipmiller111 - Aug 26, 2011 at 2:31 PM
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I think that schools who play sports with schools that do not play the National anthem, should play ” Pussy cat, Pussy cat, I love youuuuuuuuu from the Peter Sellers movie.
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- skids003 - Aug 26, 2011 at 2:48 PM
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Well, RIck, I 100% disagree with you. What is the new liberal anthem you people want to sing these days? We sure as hell wouldn’t want to offend anyone, unless it’s someone whose agenda doesn’t meet the liberal agenda? Any suggestions?
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- baccards - Aug 26, 2011 at 4:03 PM
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let’s keep the SSB – but use Jimi’s version as the background music and let the crowd sing what ever words they want
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- mholl704 - Aug 26, 2011 at 3:03 PM
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We don’t need to get rid of the Star Spangled Banner. What we need is for people to learn its history and at least read all four verses of it. I’m not saying we should sing all 4 verses (God forbid!), but most people don’t even know they exist. When read as a poem, as an account of the battle for Baltimore that took place that night, they make a powerful impression. Francis Scott Key was on an enemy ship, unable to return to land.
Interestingly, one line of the fourth stanza reads:
‘And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”‘
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- wilfinvegas - Aug 26, 2011 at 3:37 PM
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As an aside, and as someone who was raised in Canada, I take exception to your comment implying that Canadians are perhaps weak, entirely pacifists, or not a good partner of the USA. When it comes to contributing to NATO base causes, Canada has been, and continues to be, a strong partner of the US and NATO and regularly puts its citizens in harms way throughout the world. Additionally, I would point out that many Canadians participated in both Korean and Vietnam wars, and perhaps more notably, Canada was involved in WWII well before the US entered the fray. I also note that Canadians put their life on the line in Tehran, helping to extricate several American citizens during the hostage crisis in the late 70′s. Shame on your for implying that Canada in some way isn’t a great partner with the United States. You need to do some research.
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- tjammin - Aug 27, 2011 at 11:15 AM
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Wilfinvegas, welcome to ‘Merricka! The land where if yer not kickin’ ever-wuns a$$, yer ain’t a real man, and not a real ‘Merrickan.
Seriously, Americanism has become a religion in the USA. We can’t have a logical discussion about our foriegn policy–much less discussion about our national song–without rank Americanism and related emotions ruling the discourse. As such, it will be impossible to really evaulate the SSB as a national anthem in the sociological sense, or the musical sense. A war poem about a flag set to the tune of an aristicratic British drinking song would certainly not represent the country as a whole, but it is tradition now, and it is staying, like it or not. Its playing at the olympics, at relevant points in US recent history, and at all sporting events make it tradition, and its tune stirs emotion and remembrance, regardless of its musical and literary inadequacies. It doesn’t matter if it is a good song or not, it is America.
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- mmbrown1964 - Aug 26, 2011 at 3:42 PM
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As a retired 21 year Navy Veteran, I wish to convey (in my humble opinion) how much the anthem means to Veterans; past and current. The SSB sparks a feeling like no other in a military man or woman and makes us proud to serve or have served. I get goose bumps nearly every time I hear it. The times I don’t is when someone over sings and mutilates the song or forgets the words. I can’t think of anything more dishonerable than forgetting the words (outside of desertion). Do I forget? Sure, but I’m not being payed big $$$ to sing it either. We don’t need another anthem, we just need to honor the one we have.
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- philriverslovespenis - Aug 27, 2011 at 6:17 PM
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Great post, and THANK YOU FOR THE FREEDOM!!!!
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- shearer09 - Aug 26, 2011 at 5:23 PM
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Why are domestic American sporting events delayed or interrupted by irrelevant displays of coerced patriotism anyway? No one would think of playing “God Save the Queen” before Premier League soccer games, or “Advance Australia Fair” before Sheffield Shield cricket matches. There are no anthems played before Grand Slam tennis matches or golf tournaments. For international competitions, fair enough I suppose. But otherwise it’s just a pointless tradition that devalues true patriotism.
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- strongandproud - Aug 26, 2011 at 7:33 PM
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Shearer….no one “over there” might not think or care….but here WE proud Americans do care! Feel free to pack up and move “over there”!
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- guypatsfan - Aug 27, 2011 at 10:15 AM
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Here we go with the same old moronic “if you don’t like it over here then you can move over there”. What are you, one of those idiot Teabaggers? How do you know if Shearer is even over here? A little touchy and insecure, strongandproud?
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- strongandproud - Aug 27, 2011 at 1:43 PM
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really? you label me a moron and a Teabagger? nice… i bust my butt for what i have and am very proud…..but what irks me is that we have become a nation of trying to please EVERYONE!! i don’t get everything i want, but i don’t sit and complain all day about it! i am making an educated choice not to stoop to your level with the “hiding behind the computer screen” insults…..you should re-read what some of the vets on here have said…about how proud they are when they hear the anthem! Ya know, vets—-> those that have SERVED their country, put themselves in harms way so that you have the freedom you have.
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- skids003 - Aug 28, 2011 at 1:05 PM
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strongand proud, you know what is really scary? That your post has almost more thumbs down than up. And the one below too!! guypatsfan, I’d rather be a teabagger as you call them than a stupid ass liberal.
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- ctyanker4 - Aug 27, 2011 at 4:32 AM
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Well put, shearer.
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- 0gdenh - Aug 26, 2011 at 5:40 PM
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The author has no clue about the Swiss. Pacifism has nothing to do with the reason the Swiss don’t fight wars. The Swiss don’t fight wars because they don’t want to be bothered with their neighbors and their neighbors know they would get their asses kicked. Even Hitler was scared of the Swiss.
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- goforthanddie - Aug 26, 2011 at 5:45 PM
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Change the National Anthem? No. Change the song normally played before American sporting events? Sure. Considering so many athletes aren’t American, a more nationality-neutral song might hit the spot.
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- shearer09 - Aug 26, 2011 at 6:28 PM
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But why have a communal song at all? It’s a sporting event, not a boy scout jamboree. It’d make just as much sense to have everybody read a poem, or do the macarena, or blow their noses in unison.
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- goforthanddie - Aug 26, 2011 at 8:41 PM
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You need something like “Let’s get ready to rummmmmmmmmmmbllllllllllllle” so folks can get to their seats. I imagine a simple “5 minutes til first pitch” over the PA system would suffice, but that’s boring.
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- ocgunslinger - Aug 26, 2011 at 6:03 PM
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Only a SOB would mess with the SSB.
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- kyleortonsarm - Aug 26, 2011 at 6:13 PM
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Americas friend Allah agrees that it’s time to ditch the Anthem.
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- 1742hawk - Aug 26, 2011 at 10:30 PM
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so does Obama . He wants Flavo-O Flav to write a newer hip version.
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- wfon1 - Aug 26, 2011 at 7:29 PM
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Cant believe I wasted my time reading this article.
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- stew48 - Aug 26, 2011 at 7:36 PM
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Thank you wilfinvegas. It is time for me and a bunch of others to realize what a great friend and neighbor we have in Canada.
One of the commenters must not watch the NHL. If teams from both countries are playing, I have heard both anthems prior to faceoff.
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- jdillydawg - Aug 26, 2011 at 8:24 PM
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I’m ready for a new anthem. Jeez, let’s mix it up. The song has been torn to shreds by the likes of Christina and Rosanne and a thousand other no names that think they can sing. And yet we still persist. What’s the point in honoring it if we don’t care how it’s honored? I’m not even Canadian and I want a new song.
I’m with the college. Give me a new song. Lady Gaga anyone?
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- nofunleague - Aug 26, 2011 at 10:07 PM
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If you want a new anthem, go find a new country. A-hole.
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- guypatsfan - Aug 27, 2011 at 10:17 AM
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nofunleague – why don’t you rename yourself nobrainleague?
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- nofunleague - Aug 27, 2011 at 1:25 PM
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Sorry gaypatsfan, I do have a brain. You can leave too Loser.
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- strongandproud - Aug 27, 2011 at 1:46 PM
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that’s funny nofunleague, i first read his name as gaypatsfan as well…..and i agree with your comment!
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- 1742hawk - Aug 26, 2011 at 10:28 PM
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Rick Chandler…time to revise your writing, logic and common sense. Your brain was chiseled out of stone.
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- 1742hawk - Aug 26, 2011 at 10:31 PM
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This country has 1001 things that need to be fixed before the National Anthem.
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- markmistretta - Aug 27, 2011 at 2:20 AM
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You’re an idiot Chandler! The American National Anthem is not a hard song to sing nor is it too long, nor is it hard to remember! I’ve heard it sung correctly and beautifully many, many times. You just have to have the right person singing it and singing it like it should be sung! Not these entertainers that sing it like an R&B hit or Pop Song in the Top 40 charts! Just sing it straight and don’t “Make it your own rendition” and it will be fine!! The anthem is part of our sports heritage you moron!! Leave it alone!!!
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- hatersweargreen - Aug 27, 2011 at 2:56 AM
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one of these days i’ll be at a ballgame and hear:
“now please rise as we join woody guthrie as he sings “this land is your land”
I’ll leave the game satisfied that day even if my team loses.
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- warrenthewise - Aug 27, 2011 at 3:06 AM
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Oh, Rick Chandler you see,
We do not agree,
That our anthem you take,
And that leaves us all steaming;All the honor is gone,
From your dumbed-down dawn,
If you cannot sing,
Then don’t do anything;* * *
How much do you dare,
Our pride you impair,
Make it simpler you say,
Just sing “duh” all the day;* * *
And when you have lost all tradition to h-ll,
You don’t leave anything,
Just . . .a . . .God-awful . . . smell!(My apologies to Francis)
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- bobbybudnick - Aug 27, 2011 at 4:15 AM
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The Star Spangled Banner is the second worst song of all time, next to the birthday song, that is. It is garbage and its time has come. If you ask me, i would replace it with God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood right now. Still, I think we could do better. But yeah, the ssb sucks and it is time that its laid to rest.
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- billyt63 - Aug 27, 2011 at 5:58 AM
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I vote that Night Ranger’s “You Can Still Rock In America!” to be the next U.S. National Anthem. Brad Gillis’ guitar shredding in that song is worthy of being our national anthem.
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- 1historian - Aug 27, 2011 at 7:12 AM
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What genius had the idea to have an english singer perform that song in front of the whole world at our most famous sporting event?
