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| An artist's rendering of the bombardment of Ft. McHenry in 1814 which inspired Key's poem "Defense of Ft. McHenry," which became known as "The Star Spangled Banner." |
O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it 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!
-Francis Scott Key, from The Star-Spangled Banner
