want to hear a wonderful song?

O.K. Not bad. But I've got one better. Four little girls who call themselves The Cactus Cuties, from Texas. They sing 'a Capella' and have made a beautiful rendering of the anthem.

http://youtu.be/jCJRkUO_odo

I submit that it's entirely possible to love your country, yet think your National Anthem is militaristic, not to mention extremely hard to sing, without it being construed as an insult. I prefer America the Beautiful, and if we have to keep The Star Spangled Banner, skip the first two verses and go directly to the fourth (or is it the third) verse, which begins "Oh, thus be it e'er when free men shall stand between their loved home and the war's desolation."

In 1968 Jose Feliciano sang a version of the National Anthem at the World Series (our home team, the Detroit Tigers, were playing that year, so we were enthusiastic about it) that was very unusual and laid-back for the times. It was beautiful and very touching. My high school choir teacher, who I loved and respected, thought it was shameful and embarrassing and told us that no real American should want their anthem desecrated like that. I couldn't have disagreed with her more and lost a little respect for her that day.

That version is pretty good, but not even close to my favorite version sung by a 5 year old little girl named "Star". Her video is on U Tube, her gestures, emotions, timing, and her enunciation of each word gives me the feeling that she really knows what that song is all about. After listening to her version with my 5 year old granddaughter, I had tears in my eyes, and Brooke was determined to figure out the words that she had never heard before . So we started reading the words, and I tried to explain the meaning. I had to really think and decipher as we went along, "over the ramparts we watched at the twilights last gleaming, the bright rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. I had to look up "ramparts", didn't realize that word was in the song, had no idea it meant - dirt hill. Right now I can't even remember the order of the words in that song, I need to see it in writing to get it right. Just a few minutes ago Brooke wanted me to play the song on my computer, we sing it with her, and Brooke makes every effort to copy the gestures, facial expressions, and timing of the phrases, while I am doing my best to try to hit the notes and get the words in the right order.

Before hearing this interpretation, I didn't like any "ad lib"variations from the original.

This one was wonderful! It is obvious he is performing with sincere passion!

I have often thought America The Beautiful should be our national anthem because it is a wonderful song. After hearing this and viewing the marvelous video, I believe this is the right anthem for us.

I think the music was nice but I have had it with all the war, fighting so the song is not wonderful to me. I don't find killing beautiful. I do love the song America The Beautiful & would love to hear the same people sing that.

I would prefer the Lee Greenwood song as our National Anthem or Imagine by the Beatles. Time for me to get back to nature & it doesn't feel national to be bombarded with images of death by force or because of fear & a need for protection.

Thanks for the question it helped me see how my enegy felt so blocked around my heart in connection to the fighting images yet it was so happy & open to the music.

Several years ago I would not have liked it at all because I always felt it should be sung in a traditional, more "respectful" way. Everyone made a big deal of Mariah Carey's version, but I got the impression that it was more about showcasing her vocal range than an honest, heartfelt homage to our homeland. But I have to say that this particular version was quite moving and I think the reason I feel that way is because you can tell it was sung from the heart with real passion for our Country. Thanks for posting it.

N0 ....The Star Spangled Banner sucks ... We need a national anthem that the average person can sing...........It is militaristic ! Anyone who understands English knows that.......Not just libs . Cons aren't stupid .

I'm not sure what I think of it..perhaps I'll need to listen to it some more. It is different and not what I am used to or expected. I'm cool with it though. I like the enthusiasm of the version.

I like it. I don't understand why so many citizens are so unamerican. We need to pull together with what is happening in the world hating us after that stupid movie was made.

YES, I love it,

crying B4 breakfast...AGAIN!

May I remind, "peace is patriotic".

Here's my favorite version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edeZqCchIYg