The Star-Spangled Banner (Smith, John Stafford)

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Performances

Recordings

For Piano (Rachmaninoff)

Performer Pages Terence Yung (Piano)
Publisher Info. Terence Yung, 2025.
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Misc. Notes Version for Piano Solo
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Performer Pages Luis Kolodin (Piano)
Publisher Info. Luis Kolodin
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Naxos

Synthesized/MIDI

For Mixed Chorus and Strings (Gardner)

Publisher Info. Herbert S. Gardner
Performers Midi
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Misc. Notes For S.A.T.B. chorus and string orchestra
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For 4 Saxophones (Fritz)

Publisher Info. Parker Fritz
Performers Parker Fritz
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For 3 Recorders (Tennent)
Publisher Info. R.D. Tennent
Performers Photoscore
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Misc. Notes These file(s) are part of the Werner Icking Music Collection, and are also included in the Mondrup Recorder Collection.
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For 2 Recorders (Tennent)
Publisher Info. R.D. Tennent
Performers Photoscore
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Misc. Notes These file(s) are part of the Werner Icking Music Collection, and are also included in the Mondrup Recorder Collection. Transposed to G major.
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Sheet Music

Scores

The Anacreontic Song

Publisher. Info. The Vocal Enchantress
London: J. Fielding, 1783.
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Misc. Notes Melody and text only.
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Publisher. Info. London: A. Blands, n.d.[1784-92].
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Misc. Notes Includes guitar and german flute parts.
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Publisher. Info. A 5th Book of Canzonets, Catches, Canons & Glees
London: for the Author (Stafford Smith), 1799.
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Misc. Notes Harmonized in 3 parts.
The full noveletta-style title of this collection is A 5th Book of Canzonets, Catches, Canons & Glees, sprightly and plaintive, with a part for the Piano-Forte subjoined where necessary to melodize the score
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The Star-Spangled Banner

Publisher. Info. Baltimore: Carrs Music Store, n.d.
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Misc. Notes First edition, for piano and voice, flute part also included
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Arrangements and Transcriptions

For Mixed Chorus and Orchestra (Damrosch)

14 more: Piccolo, Flute 1, 2 • Oboe 1, 2 • Clarinet 1, 2 (B♭) • Bassoon 1, 2 • Horn 1/2, 3/4 (F) • Trumpet 1, 2 (B♭) • Trombone 1/2, 3, Tuba • Timpani • Snare Drum/Cymbals/Bass Drum/Bells • Violins I • Violins II • Violas • Cellos • Basses

Arranger Walter Damrosch (1862–1950)
Publisher. Info. New York: G. Schirmer, 1918. Plate 20832 (score), 28225 (parts).
Reprinted Boca Raton: Edwin F. Kalmus, n.d.(1987-2018). Catalog A8105.
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For Mixed Chorus and Orchestra (Hudson)
Arranger Robert A. Hudson
Publisher. Info. Robert Hudson
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Misc. Notes Hymn Style
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For Orchestra (Stravinsky)
Arranger Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971)
Publisher. Info. New York: Mercury Music Corporation, 1941.
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For Orchestra (Toscanini)
Arranger Arturo Toscanini (1867–1957)
Publisher. Info. Holograph manuscript, 1943.
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For Military Band (Sousa)
Arranger John Philip Sousa (1854–1932)
Editor Walter Damrosch (1862–1950)
Publisher. Info. New York: Carl Fischer, 1889.
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Misc. Notes On all parts "Am. St. J'l. No. 1937"
Subtitled "Patriotic Song: MORNING COLORS"
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For Mixed Chorus and Strings (Gardner)

6 more: Vocal Score • Violins I • Violins II • Violas • Cellos • Basses

Arranger Herbert Straus Gardner
Publisher. Info. Herbert Straus Gardner
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For Voice, Mixed Chorus and Piano (Tucker)
Arranger Henry L. Tucker (1826–1882)
Publisher. Info. New York: Firth, Pond & Co., 1861. Plate 1426.
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Arranger Henry L. Tucker (1826–1882)
Editor Robert A. Hudson (b. 1948)
Publisher. Info. Robert A. Hudson, 2015.
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For Voice, Mixed Chorus and Piano
Publisher. Info. Providence: Oliver Shaw, 1840.
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Misc. Notes "A Harrisong Song & Chorus, Written by A Whig of Providence, for the cause of Harrison and Reform". Arranged for voice, three-part chorus and piano. Same author as The People are Rousing, an original composition.
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Publisher. Info. Philadelphia: Lee & Walker, n.d.[1854?]. Plate R.W.30.
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Misc. Notes This file is part of the Submission Project.
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Publisher. Info. Bromo-Seltzer Edition of 171 Popular Selections Complete and Unabridged
Baltimore: Emerson Drug Company, n.d.(ca.1890).
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Misc. Notes This file is part of the Submission Project.
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Publisher. Info. Century Edition
New York: Century Music Publishing Co., n.d. Plate 1299-2.
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Misc. Notes Mis-attributed to Samuel Arnold
This file is part of the Submission Project.
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For Voice, Male Chorus and Piano
Publisher. Info. New York: Heath, Wynkoop & Co., 1861.
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Misc. Notes This file is part of the Submission Project.
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For Mixed Chorus and Piano (Hofmann-Hudson)
Arranger Józef Hofmann (1876–1957)
Robert A. Hudson
Publisher. Info. Robert Hudson
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Misc. Notes Hofmann's arrangement with added chorus
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For Mixed Chorus and Piano (Damrosch)
Arranger Walter Damrosch (1862–1950)
Editor Robert A. Hudson
Publisher. Info. Robert A. Hudson
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Misc. Notes Open Score
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For Male Chorus and Piano (Brewer)
Arranger John Hyatt Brewer (1856–1931)
Publisher. Info. New York: G. Schirmer, 1909. Plate 21410.
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Misc. Notes This file is part of the Sibley Mirroring Project.
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For Mixed Chorus (Askew)
Arranger Charles E. Askew
Publisher. Info. Askew Music Productions 2023
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For Mixed Chorus
Editor Dean Shannon
Publisher. Info. Dean Shannon
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Misc. Notes 1918 Service version.
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Editor Robert A. Hudson
Publisher. Info. Robert Hudson
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Editor Robert A. Hudson
Publisher. Info. Robert A. Hudson
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Misc. Notes from The Golden Book of Favorite Songs (p.67)
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For Male Chorus (Vogrich)
Arranger Max Vogrich (1852–1916)
Publisher. Info. Schirmer's 8vo Quartets and Choruses for Men's Voices, No.98
New York: G. Schirmer, 1899. Plate 5496.
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Misc. Notes This file is part of the Indianapolis Maennerchor Archive.
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For Male Chorus (Salamon)
Arranger Sean Michael Salamon
Publisher. Info. Sean Michael Salamon
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Misc. Notes Written for the Carnegie Mellon Originals
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For Voice, 2 Violins, Viola and Cello (Kay)
Arranger Darius Kay
Publisher. Info. Darius Kay
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Misc. Notes Accompaniment for vocalist
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For 4 Saxophones (Fritz)
Arranger Parker Fritz
Publisher. Info. Parker Fritz
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Misc. Notes SATB saxophone quartet
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For 2 Violins, Viola and Cello (Anonymous)
Publisher. Info. Shar Music
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For 2 Violins, Viola and Cello (Del Arte)
Arranger Alonso del Arte
Publisher. Info. Alonso del Arte
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For 3 Recorders (Tennent)
Arranger R.D. Tennent
Publisher. Info. R.D. Tennent
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Misc. Notes These file(s) are part of the Werner Icking Music Collection, and are also included in the Mondrup Recorder Collection.
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For Horn, Trumpet and Euphonium (Messerschmidt)
Arranger Hans Jorgen Messerschmidt (b. 1944)
Publisher. Info. Hans Jorgen Messerschmidt, 2020.
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For 2 Recorders (Tennent)
Arranger R.D. Tennent
Publisher. Info. R.D. Tennent
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Misc. Notes These file(s) are part of the Werner Icking Music Collection, and are also included in the Mondrup Recorder Collection. Transposed to G major.
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For Voice and Piano (Jackson & Warren)
Arranger Samuel P. Jackson (1818–1885)
George William Warren (1828–1902)
Publisher. Info. 2 American National Songs, No.1
New York: G. Schirmer, n.d.(after 1866).
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Misc. Notes This file is part of the Submission Project.
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For Voice and Piano (Voss)
Arranger Charles Voss (?–1882)
Publisher. Info. Chestnut: G. André & Co., 1861.
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Misc. Notes This file is part of the Submission Project.
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For Guitar (Jacobs)
Arranger Robert Walter Jacobs (1868–1945)
Publisher. Info. Boston: Walter Jacobs, 1917. Plate 3809-1.
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Misc. Notes in The Cadenza (Boston, Mass., Oct. 1923), Vol.30, No.10, p.32.
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Arranger Robert Walter Jacobs (1868–1945)
Editor Stefan Apke
Publisher. Info. Vlotho: Stefan Apke, 2024.
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For Piano (Godowsky)
Arranger Leopold Godowsky (1870–1938)
Publisher. Info. New York: G. Schirmer, 1921. Plate 29987.
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For Piano (Hofmann)
Arranger Józef Hofmann (1876–1957)
Publisher. Info. New York: Carl Fischer, 1918. Plate 21188-2.
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Misc. Notes This file is from the MIT archive project.
This file is part of the Sibley Mirroring Project.
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For Piano (Manns)
Arranger Jean Manns (fl. 1858-1869)
Publisher. Info. New York: Wm. A. Pond & Co., 1861. Plate 5157.
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Misc. Notes This file is part of the Submission Project.
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For Piano (Rachmaninoff)
Arranger Sergei Rachmaninoff (1874–1943)
Publisher. Info. Unidentified Publisher, n.d.(ca.1950).
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Misc. Notes This file is from the MIT archive project.
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Arranger Sergei Rachmaninoff (1874–1943)
Publisher. Info. Ethan Hu, 2024.
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For Piano (Stults)
Arranger Robert Morrison Stults (1861-1933)
Publisher. Info. The Etude Magazine, March 1918.
Philadelphia: Theodore Presser.
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Misc. Notes Printed together with "America" (My Country 'Tis Of Thee) under the title, American National Anthems. (The United States government did not designate a national anthem until 1931.)
"Good playable arrangements of the two national anthems, transcribed for piano solo, especially for the Etude. Grade III."
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Arranger Robert Morrison Stults (1861–1933)
Publisher. Info. Philadelphia: M.D. Swisher, 1898.
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Misc. Notes This file is part of the Submission Project.
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Arranger Robert Morrison Stults (1861–1933)
Editor Robert A. Hudson
Publisher. Info. Robert A. Hudson
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Misc. Notes This is a more substantially altered version that also includes
Columbia the Gem of the Ocean
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For Piano
Publisher. Info. New York: The University Society, No.1642, 1918. Plate 467-2.
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For Keyboard
Arranger Benjamin Cooke (1734–1793)
Publisher. Info. Manuscript, n.d.(ca.1700s).
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Misc. Notes Royal College of Music Library, London (GB-Lcm): MS 812/57
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For Voice and Piano (Thomas)
Arranger David Evan Thomas (b. 1958)
Publisher. Info. David Evan Thomas, 2005.
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Misc. Notes "To Anacreon in Heaven," Musical source of "The Star-Spangled Banner"
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Text

Addfilenum[1]

(Only the first verse is usually sung. Very occasionally one also hears the fourth verse.)

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen, thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream;
'Tis the star-spangled banner: oh, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand,
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that has made and preserved us as a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust";
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

General Information

Work Title The Star-Spangled Banner
Alternative. Title Original title: The Anacreontic Song
Composer Smith, John Stafford
I-Catalogue NumberI-Cat. No. IJS 2
Year/Date of CompositionY/D of Comp. 1778
First Publication. 1779-1780 as The Anacreontic Song — London: Longman & Broderip, 3 pages.
1814 as The Star-Spangled Banner
Librettist Francis Scott Key (1779–1843) 1814
Ralph Tomlinson (The Anacreontic Song)
Language English
Dedication To the American People
Composer Time PeriodComp. Period Classical
Piece Style Classical
Related Works Pieces based on The Star-Spangled Banner
The Music of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' from Ludgate Hill to Capitol Hill (historical research, analysis, and commentary, with extensive bibliographic notes).
Extra Information National anthem of the United States. (The U.S. Congress so designated it in 1931.) The original words for the music, entitled The Anacreontic Song, were written by Ralph Tomlinson. Francis Scott Key wrote an earlier text for this melody in 1805, When the Warrior Returns, in commemoration of Stephen Decatur's victory in the naval battle in Tripoli. The melody was extremely popular in both England and the United States at the time. According to James Fuld's The Book of World-Famous Music (5th ed., 2000, Dover), there were more than 85 lyric poems set to this tune - mostly of a patriotic nature - published between 1790 and 1820 in the United States alone.