What Are the Origins of Famous Patriotic Songs?
You may know the lyrics to these popular patriotic tunes. But you may be surprised to learn about how they began. Yankee Doodle Though often played during events commemorating America’s revolutionary era, “Yankee Doodle” was originally sung prior to the Revolution by British military officers who mocked the unorganized and buckskin-wearing ‘Yankees’ with whom they fought during the French and Indian War. It has become Connecticut’s state song. The Star Spangled Banner “The Star Spangled Banner,” sung to the melody of a drinking song “To Anacreon in Heaven,” is based on a poem written by Francis Scott Key called “Defense of Ft. McHenry.” During the War of 1812, Key overheard the British plans for attacking Baltimore while on board a British ship under a flag of truce trying to negotiate the release of a local doctor. The British, unwilling to release Key or his fellow negotiator, held these Americans on board as the British navy attacked Fort McHenry. Upon seeing the American flag still
