The exhibition states that Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner “song.” Didn he write a poem?
You’re correct that in the past many people have described Francis Scott Key’s words as a poem. In fact, this Museum used to describe them that way. However, further research and scholarship have led our curatorial staff to believe that Key had the tune “To Anacreon in Heaven” in his head as he wrote those first words. In 1805, Key had used the melody for a song he wrote in honor of Captain Stephen Decatur, so we know he was familiar with the tune and the rhyme scheme. By September 17th, just three days after the Battle of Baltimore, the Star-Spangled Banner was distributed as a broadside all over Baltimore, including printed directions that the words be sung to the tune of “Anacreon in Heaven,” as we believe Key intended. Other institutions may disagree and continue to describe Key’s lyrics as a poem, but we strongly believe Key always intended to write a song. Which is why you’ll find it described as such throughout our exhibition and the companion Web site. Whether poem or song, we’
