Star Spangled Banner

Hi,


I'm not sure where this goes but,

I just had a thought pertaining the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner anthem.

To cut to the chase:

"And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air"

Now its been awhile since history class, I dont remember who and when the anthem was written, just a few basic details.

But I do know that in that era "rockets" and"bombs bursting in air"
were not present day weaponry.
was the term rocket even in conception back then?

Great post. I would like some answers here too. Again, excellent observation Qlone!

It was written by Francis Scott Key durring the war of 1812. I believe it was at the bombardment of Ft. McHenry. The rocket is a term used then. It 's main function was to scare troops and cause confusion. The bomb at that time was a hollow cast iron cannon ball loaded with powder and a timed fuse. It was ignited when shot from the cannon or mortar. Hope that helps

[edit on 1/26/2005 by catshot]

On a side note, the Star Spangled Banner is really an old drinking song:

The words to our national anthem have nothing to do with consumption of alcohol, but the melody that Francis Scott Key had in mind when he wrote those words did originate decades earlier as the melody for a song in praise of wine.

www.colonialmusic.org...

Bottoms up!! :w:

Originally posted by Qlone
But I do know that in that era "rockets" and"bombs bursting in air"
were not present day weaponry.

Yes they were. not modern rockets and modern bombs, but certainly rocketing fiery projectiles and exploding thudding bombs.

was the term rocket even in conception back then?

And you suggest, what precisely?

Yes...there were rockets and bombs ever since the Chinese invented them in the Middle Ages.