The Star Spangled Banner

The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics

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, through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O 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, now conceals, now discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam, In full glory reflected now shines on the stream: ‘Tis the star-spangled banner! O 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 wiped out their foul footstep’s 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 homes and the war’s desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.” And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

In United States

St. Patrick's Day, although not a legal holiday anywhere in the United States, is nonetheless widely recognized and celebrated throughout the country. It is primarily observed as a celebration of Irish and Irish American culture; celebrations include prominent displays of the color green, feasting, copious consumption of alcohol, religious observances, and numerous parades. The holiday has been celebrated on the North American continent since the late eighteenth century, prior to the American Revolution. (Celebrations :Attending parades, attending céilithe, wearing shamrocks, wearing green, drinking Irish beer, drinking Irish whiskey).

St Patrick's Day and Beer

Celebrate St. Patrick can not be separated with a beer. Most people celebrate St. Patrick went to the pub, drink a few cold beers, singing some lovely Irish folk song. Ireland has long been known for his refined grain beverage products. On normal days, as many as 2.6 million liters of Guinness are consumed around the world each day. But when St. Patrick's Day coming, that number jumped to 6.2 million liters. This is possible since historically many Irish immigrants who came to the world, especially the United States, and brought with them many customs and traditions, including Guinness.

St. Patrick and the Snakes

Another story surrounding St. Patrick's life is the ability to repel snakes from the mainland Ireland. St. Patrick is often depicted repel snakes. It is true there are no snakes in Ireland to this day, but it was because there was never any snakes live there. Ireland is a land surrounded by sea water that is too cold so it is not possible for the snakes to migrate from Britain or anywhere else. In many works of literature, the serpent is often interpreted as a symbol of evil. So when Patrick repel snakes out of Ireland, was symbolically illustrates that he expel the infidels out of Ireland.

St. Patrick and Shamrock Leaves

Shamrock Leaves

is a symbol of Ireland and has meaning for most Irish culture. The Druids believed that leaf shamrock was a sacred plant that can ward off evil as people believe Celtic Shamrock had mystical properties because it consists of three heart-shaped leaves. According to the old story, St. Patrick always used the three leaves of the shamrock angle (which looks almost like leaf clover) to explain the concept of the trinity of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. At the present time, people revelers celebrate St. Patrick's Day by wearing a shamrock leaf as part of the decoration of party supplies. And in the tradition of the Irish people believed that if jumping up and bring shamrock then he will be far from the luck.

Life History of St. Patrick

St. Patrick was born in the fifth century in England. Roman parents. When Patrick was sixteen, he was kidnapped by pirates and taken to Ireland. There, he was sold as a slave. His employer told Patrick to keep the flocks in the mountains. Patrick just get a bit of food and clothing. Nevertheless, he maintains that flocks well, in the rain, storms and snow. Patrick felt so lonely in the mountains, he often came to talk to Jesus and the Virgin Mary in prayer. Life is hard and unfair to him. Increasingly Patrick grew stronger belief in God. Later, when he managed to escape from Ireland, Patrick studied to become a priest. He always felt that he had to return to Ireland to bring that pagan land to Christ. In the end, his wish was granted. He became a priest and later became bishop. At that time, when St. Selestina I assume the office of the pope, Patrick returned to Ireland. How happy Patrick to proclaim the Good News of God's truth to the people who once treated him as a slave. Since from the beginning, Patrick suffered much. Relatives and his friends want him to stop preaching the gospel before pagan Ireland to kill him. But saints kept on preaching about Jesus. He traveled from one village to another. He rarely rested and did many penances for those who so loved. Before he died, all the Irish people have become Christians. Although he succeeded brilliantly, St. Patrick was never proud or arrogant. He referred to himself as a sinner, and deliver all the praise it receives to the Lord. Patrick died in 461.