The Star-Spangled Banner (aka The Star-Spangled Banner Takes a Knee)

SATB a cappella or with piano

An accessible, yet strong political protest statement, this thought-provoking SATB arrangement of the US National Anthem flips its melody upside-down with the same intention as an American ship might flip its flag: to signify “dire distress.” Here the anthem retains its original framework, rhythm, and form, while the melody – traded between the sopranos and tenors – shines from this new point of view: the “rockets” low, the “brave” high, and harmonized in minor.

Verse 2, penned just as the American Civil War begins, is a rarely-heard verse by abolitionist poet Oliver Wendell Holmes, who anticipates emancipation for the nation’s enslaved people, believing that only through their full rights as citizens will the country have earned its claim to everything the flag represents. During the Civil War, this verse was printed in songbooks throughout the northern US alongside Francis Scott Key’s lyrics.

Arranger Abbie Betinis writes: “Hearing our national anthem this way reminds us that it’s possible to look at something we’re used to — like a melody, a custom, or even long-standing systemic injustice — in different ways. In this case, flipping things around gives other voices new opportunities to be heard. And, of course, our flag is still there.”

Sing it a cappella, use the keyboard reduction for support, or improvise accompaniment on any instrument using the chord symbols provided.