200 Years The Star Spangled Anthem

Two years into the war of 1812
The White House was seized and burned
Though the President still alive and well,
They desired to strike back, quite alarmed

The British were not pleased
Cut off, they retaliated
A kind doctor, in bed, was seized
The fighting, thus, escalated

Our government seeking to free
This elderly doctor and friend
Sent of two, (one Francis Scott Key)
To offer a prisoner exchange, in the end

A flag of truce was waved
To enter a British vessel
And the exchange was made
But, not till dawn due to the hassle

The battle that night was fierce
With combatants, each other pursuing
It would take sunshine to pierce
Through the smoke from the battle ensuing

Fort McHenry had little defense
Its large flag would tell it all
Through the night, nervous and tense
In the morning.. how? It stood tall!

Overcome by the sight, with much emotion
Key wrote most of the words to a song
As a patriot, expressing devotion
To our God, who had kept the land strong

He continued, more to write
As soon as they arrived ashore
A relative helped find the tune that night
Then it was hand billed for Baltimore

Now as our national anthem
It is sung as our flag is raised
As chests fill with pride often tears brim
From lyrics so powerfully phrased

And as each lifts up their eyes
Unto the flag freely waving
Let us, too, look high to the skies
And give thanks to God for our saving

I love the fact that Francis Scott Key was an amateur poet (like me).
Who was better to write this than one trying to serve his country and bravely working negotiations to free an innocent and elderly man?
This banner, the largest battle flag in existence, measures 36 by 29 feet. It was made by Mrs. Mary Young Pickersgill and her two nieces for exactly $405.90. The material was cut at Mrs. Pickersgill's home, "No. 60 Albemarle Street, Old Town" (Pratt and Albemarle Streets, Baltimore), and carried to a nearby brewery, where it was sewed together in anticipation of the British attack on the fort.

Anyone know the history of this?
The Salt Lake Temple in 1897, draped with the U.S. flag used in the 1896 statehood celebration. Source: George Reed Collection, University of Utah.

Verse 1] Two years into the war, the capital was scarred, The President survived, but the warning struck hard. The White House stood burning beneath a wounded sky, And frightened hearts demanded that the nation reply. [Verse 2] The British force was cut off, their anger running deep, They seized a kindly doctor from his quiet bed of sleep. So Washington sent envoys across the troubled tide, Francis Scott Key among them, with a prisoner at his side. [Pre-Chorus] A flag of truce was lifted, they entered through the night, The exchange was made—but dawn delayed their flight. [Chorus] O tell us, banner, through the smoke and flame, Did courage still endure, did freedom keep its name? When morning found you standing, proud above the wall, The hope of a young nation rose higher than them all. [Verse 3] The battle raged around them, the cannon shook the bay, And smoke concealed the fortress until the break of day. Fort McHenry waited with little left to spare, One great flag held the answer in the morning air. [Chorus] O tell us, banner, through the smoke and flame, Did courage still endure, did freedom keep its name? When morning found you standing, proud above the wall, The hope of a young nation rose higher than them all. [Bridge] With tears upon his vision, Key gathered words of praise, For a land that had been guarded through the darkest hours and days. A borrowed tune was fitted, the verses traveled far, Until Baltimore received them beneath the rising star. [Final Chorus] Now raise the flag together, let every heart be clear, Remember those who guarded the country we hold dear. And when our eyes look upward to colors freely waved, Give thanks to God above us, whose mercy kept us saved. [Outro] Give thanks to God above us, Whose mercy kept us saved