Francis Scott Key Grave

Hymn History: The Star-Spangled Banner & Author: Francis Scott Key

“The patriot who feels himself in the service of God, who acknowledges Him in all his ways, has the promise of Almighty direction, and will find His Word in his greatest darkness.”
(Francis Scott Key)

The Origin of the Hymn “The Star-Spangled Banner”

“The Star-Spangled Banner” is not just a hymn but a symbol of American aspiration, courage, and resilience. Though most often associated with patriotic occasions and national ceremonies, its origin lies in a moment of national vulnerability during the War of 1812. The lyrics, penned by Francis Scott Key, were born out of a dramatic and emotional experience that has transcended time, becoming deeply embedded in the American conscience. While it is best known as the national anthem of the United States, it has also appeared in hymnals and been sung in churches, where its message of divine protection and national resolve resonates with Christian worshipers.

Francis Scott Key (1779–1843), a young lawyer from Maryland, wrote what would become “The Star-Spangled Banner” in September 1814. The United States was at war with Great Britain, and the conflict was reaching critical levels. After British troops had burned Washington, D.C.—including the White House and Capitol Building—the British fleet turned toward Baltimore, determined to subdue the port city that had become a hub of privateering against British ships.

Key’s involvement began when he, along with Colonel John Skinner, embarked on a diplomatic mission to secure the release of an American prisoner, Dr. William Beanes. Beanes had been arrested by the British for aiding in the arrest of British soldiers. Key and Skinner succeeded in negotiating his release, but since they had seen the strength and formation of the British fleet, the British required that all three men remain under guard aboard a ship until after the planned attack on Fort McHenry.

From the deck of the British ship Tonnant, Key watched as the British navy unleashed a 25-hour bombardment on Fort McHenry beginning on September 13, 1814. The fort’s defenders, under the command of Major George Armistead, held firm despite fierce shelling. Through the night, Key witnessed the rockets’ “red glare” and bombs bursting overhead. In the pre-dawn darkness, he strained to see whether the American flag was still flying.

As morning broke on September 14, the smoke cleared, and Key saw the American flag—an enormous 30-by-42-foot garrison flag, sewn by Mary Pickersgill—still waving in the breeze over Fort McHenry. The sight deeply moved him, and he quickly began jotting down lines on the back of a letter he had in his pocket. These hastily written words would eventually become the poem titled “Defence of Fort M’Henry.”

The poem was set to the tune of a popular British melody, “To Anacreon in Heaven,” attributed to John Stafford Smith. This tune was widely known in the United States and had already been used for various patriotic and social songs. The pairing of the tune with Key’s lyrical tribute to American perseverance made the song instantly recognizable and stirring.

The song gained immediate popularity. Newspapers printed the words, and it quickly became a favorite among American citizens. During the Civil War, the song took on even greater significance, used to rally the Union cause. By 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered it to be played at official events, and on March 3, 1931, Congress passed a law—signed by President Herbert Hoover—declaring “The Star-Spangled Banner” the national anthem.

Though not originally written for religious worship, the song entered some hymnals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its reference to God—“And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust!’”—echoed the shared belief of many Americans that their national destiny and survival were under divine care. In that sense, it has also been embraced as a hymn of patriotic faith—an affirmation that the nation’s endurance is not just a political or military matter, but a spiritual one.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” remains a stirring symbol of national endurance, rooted in a night of terror, faith, and, ultimately, triumph. Born from the resilient spirit of a people under siege, it stands as a reminder of a fledgling nation’s resolve to walk forward under the banner of freedom—and under God’s providential care.