I love fireworks! I just wish they weren't quite so loud. My favorite is the squiggly squirmy kind. They remind me of one of those science movies you see in school about sperm. (I know I have a seriously dirty mind) I know everyone knows all about the Fourth of July but I would like to take this time to do my own little analysis of the National Anthem. Since that is what is usually most credited for the fireworks display.
Star Spangled Banner ~ Francis Scott Key (1814)
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
(personally I like that line, it sets a nice tone)
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
(Was he hiding? Watching from a safe distance?)
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?
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?
(This is where those famous fireworks come in)
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?
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?
(Oh hey what be that there?)
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
(Wait I thought it was just in the ocean, now its in a stream?)
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
'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:
(Nener Nener boo boo)
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
(Oh the rhyming, it makes me want a peanut)
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
(Oh the rhyming, it makes me want a peanut)
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
(well all those that we count as men that is...no blacks or mexicans or even indians at this time may apply)
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."
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."
(Until it isn't cool to proclaim your belief in god, for fear that you are going to cause someone who pays taxes to become butt hurt)
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
I just realized this will be the first Fourth that I will be totally family free. Last year I had the RI family, year before I had long(ish) time friends around. I get to have some new experiences this year. Going to a lake out in the boonies of East County with some people. Its just weird. I'm used to being with the family and BBQ-ing then going to Old Mountain Field for fireworks. The 4th is the only holiday that the family really gathers for, since it isn't a religious holiday.
Really quick I would like to share a story....
It is tradition in our family to bail the hay at the RI farm around the 4th of July then once that has been done we have a big BBQ and then we all go for fireworks. One year we had a lot of the family there to help and as is also tradition my family likes to throw a few bails on the trailer and then toss a beer back. So one cousin is fondly remembered for having a few two many and passing out on the trailer bed to sleep it off. Some passers by saw this and called the law to make sure he was ok. Nothing really exciting happened they just said that he needed to move off the trailer which was parked on a public road. So I got to witness his wife picking him up like a child and carting him to the house. I don't think he will ever live that one down.
Anyway hope everyone has a good holiday no matter what you all end up doing. I know I will end up being DD some time in the night. I'm sure there will be pics and at least a story or two. Till then.......
If you drink don't drive...do the watermelon crawl!
ReplyDeleteYou should sing that to anybody you wind up driving for, assuming you don't have any drinks yourself.
Have fun and be safe!
I am totally sober, no drinking for me except Gatorade.
ReplyDeleteGreat now I'm gonna have that song stuck in my head. *hums*