The Star Spangled Banner.

13. Read the National Anthem of the USA and try to learn it

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER

The National Anthem of the United States

(an extract)

Based on the poem written by Francis Scott Key on September 14, 1814 and set by to the melody of the English song To Anacreon in Heaven. Officially adopted by Congress as the National Anthem in 1931.

О 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, thro’ the perilous flight,

O’er the rompers we watched, we so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave poof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that Star-Spangled banner yet wave,

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

(From “Four Very American Days”, p. 35)

15. Word study. Read the following words and phrases that will help you while listening to the text.

remember = memorize occasion = happening

public = (of) people entire = whole

classes = lessons weekdays - weekend

wedding = marriage ceremony case = occasion

form - formal – informal hostess = she host

reply = answer accept - acceptable

to take into consideration souvenir = gift

specific = not general menu = list of dishes

weak - weakness ignorance - ignore (v.)

unless = if not inexpensive = cheap