Protocols and the National Anthem
Mar 11th, 2008 by Larry Hendrick
Last February I wrote an article about the protocol for the National Anthem. In it, I documented my research for the proper behavior during the playing and/or singing of the National Anthem. Since then, I have received many follow-up questions relating to the law contained in the U.S. Code, Title 36, Subtitle 1, Part A, Chapter 3, Section 301-National Anthem. Here it is.
Sec. 301. National anthem
(a) Designation.–The composition consisting of the words and music
known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing.–During a rendition of the national
anthem–
(1) when the flag is displayed–
(A) all present except those in uniform should stand at
attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with
their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder,
the hand being over the heart; and
(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute
at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until
the last note; and(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face
toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag
were displayed.
The questions range from flag ceremonies, to discussions about the changes in the Anthem protocol over the last sixty-six years. With all these exchanges taking place in the comment section, which many readers likely would not see, I wanted spend some time and expand on the previous article.
National Anthem Protocol
The text quoted above was approved by Congress in June 1942 after the National Anthem Committee (NAC) adopted The Code for the National Anthem of the United States of America (pdf link of original document) in April 1942. What I find interesting is the differences in the two documents.
The NAC code included such details as
- the proper keys for performances (A-flat)
- requiring no liberty be taken in either style or substance with the approved version of the National Anthem
- the requirement of an announcement before the anthem for the assembled to join in singing
- mandating the tempo of the anthem, and specified that on the metronome—settings 104bpm for the verses and 96bpm for the chorus.
The Congressional version left out many of the details recommended by the committee and included the phrase—with the right hand over the heart—which was not contained in the NAC document.
A Nation’s Song
One of the biggest differences between the two documents is singing. The law approved by Congress makes no mention of singing the anthem, while the NAC centers around audience participation. To the NAC the National Anthem was our song and correspondingly, we should sing the Star Spangled Banner at every opportunity.
The very nature of the song lends itself to participation. Look at the lyrics that Francis Scott Key penned.
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 rocket’s red glare,
The bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through 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.
Keep in mind there are four stanzas to the National Anthem, although only the first is in general knowledge. The NAC included three stanzas in the official version, including 2) and 4) below. There is real significance in the lesser known lyrics. The words are full of images that Key saw that morning as the sun rose and the Star Spangled Banner did yet wave.
2) 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: O, long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!3) 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 footsteps’ 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.4) O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov’d homes and the war’s desolation;
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserv’d us 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!
My concern involves contemporary renditions of the anthem. Controversy surrounds many, while others are hailed as new standards. I like to sing The Star Spangled Banner, and if the song’s performance is such that it is not singable by the audience too, I have a problem. That’s what I want to write about in Part 2—Style over Substance and the National Anthem.
Article Series - National Anthem Protocol
- Protocols and the National Anthem
- The National Anthem—Style Over Substance
[...] admin wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt… questions relating to the law contained in the US Code, Title 36, Subtitle 1, Part A, Chapter 3, Section 301-National Anthem. Here it is. Sec. 301. National anthem. (a) Designation.–The composition consisting of the words and music … [...]
[...] tawon wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt… questions relating to the law contained in the US Code, Title 36, Subtitle 1, Part A, Chapter 3, Section 301-National Anthem. Here it is. Sec. 301. National anthem. (a) Designation.–The composition consisting of the words and music … [...]
My school recently started playing the National Anthem over the intercom system prior to the Pledge. However, they only play half of it and them stop and start the pledge! Common sense would say that is wrong and disrespectful, but is there anything anywhere that states the anthem should be played in its entirety?
There is nothing in the U.S. Code that says the National Anthem must be played “whole.”
But I agree with you—I think it is poor form to play half of the Anthem. I’m also pretty stuffy about “entertainment” arrangements of the National Anthem, designed to spotlight the performers instead of the Anthem.
Thank you for writing, Deborah
When the program includes the, inaddaition to the Star Spangled Banner, the anthem of a state or the anthem of a foreign counytry or a popular song such as “God Bless America” or “America the Beautiful”, is the Star Spangled Banner sung first or last?
What if the National Anthem is playing remotely (i.e. on a TV) in a public forum (i.e. a school auditorium.) Yesterday’s Obama inauguration was watched all over the nation. Should the standard protocol be observed? Is this any different than playing a recording of the Anthem during a ceremony? Does it matter if the ceremony is live?
M Clemens—This is a problem that has stumped Americans since the invention of the radio, and there is not an easy answer.
If the goal of watching (or listening) to the broadcast is to include the audience in the event, then I personally think those gathered—no matter how distant—should stand and salute. If there is a flag physically present where those watching are gathered, then they should salute the flag.
Otherwise, watch the screen and salute as those on the screen salute. It’s a small gesture, but an important one I think. Just my opinion though.
Is The National Anthem sung before or after the Pledge of Allegiance?
Hi Nancy—thank you for writing. The U.S. Code does not specify an order. Generally the Pledge is recited first, then the National Anthem is sung when both are done together.
However, in most cases, we do not recite the Pledge and sing the National Anthem at the same time. Traditionally, the Pledge is recited on occasions when singing the National Anthem would be difficult. So every morning in classrooms all across the nation, school children stand, salute and say the Pledge of Allegiance, because singing the National Anthem would be more complicated. But when all the children are assembled in the gym or auditorium for a special event, they will sing the National Anthem, but not recite the Pledge.
It seems to me that the Pledge is saved for small-scale events (club meeting, classroom, etc.) and the National Anthem is performed in a larger venue such as an auditorium, gymnasium or stadium. Just my observation however. It is certainly ok to do both.
What about the band/orchestra that plays the national anthem? Do the performers have to stand during the rendition? I’ve never seen that happen, except when a marching band is playing, but a friend asked. I would think no, but I’m not sure.
Thank you for tracking down answers!
Musicians and vocalists are given latitude when it comes to performing the National Anthem. They do not have to remove their head coverings, and they are allowed to be seated while performing. Thank you Joyce, for writing.
I was curious WHEN the Anthem is required to be played.
I believe it is required to be played a the gathering of large groups. The playing of the National Anthem before sporting events is an example.
You may be interested in the fact that your site was mentioned at a site where I publish articles about auto racing. This site also has many other sports represented on various pages.
One article which has caused a good bit of comments to be posted [including one post the included the link to your site] is titled: “Dear National Anthem Singers: Get It Right or Get Off the Stage ”
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/296432-dear-national-anthem-singers-get-it-right-or-get-off-the-stage
I am looking forward to your reply that will clear up WHEN the playing of the Anthem is required. Thanks.
crabber1967—you have asked a good questions, and my answer will be long, but stick with me.
Q. I was curious WHEN the Anthem is required to be played?
A. No where in the U.S. Code are Americans told where and when the National Anthem should be played. That is a decision left to citizens, not the government. Here is a link to the entire statute as it is written, along with other information you will want to read (it’s not long).
Of special interest, it is worth noting that the law regarding the National Anthem is not found in the same section of the U.S. Code where the laws about the flag are found (or what we commonly call the U.S. Flag Code). Because of this, many people grew up not knowing that we are supposed to salute during the National Anthem also—with a “heart” salute or a military salute, because all they knew or were taught about was from the Flag Code. I am including below, all that is written in the U.S. Code about the National Anthem.
As you note, we traditionally play the National Anthem at the gathering of large groups: sporting events, graduations, concerts, school assemblies, et cetera. As a school girl, we recited the Pledge each day in our classrooms, but saved the National Anthem for whole school gatherings and school games, when there was a pianist or band to play the music while we sang. I remember very few occasions when we sang it a cappella.
I went to the website you linked to, and my sentiments are very much like those of the author and the commenters. It’s not that I dislike a soloist, but I sincerely believe that the National Anthem—our beloved Star-Spangled Banner—was never intended to be sung by a soloist. It is OUR anthem, and I believe we should sing it all together.
Those who can reach the high notes will be held aloft by those who can sing the low notes. Someone who stumbles over the lyrics will be carried along by the person standing along side. This is what Americans do. I think the Star-Spangled Banner is much more beautiful and stirring when we all sing together, and my fondest hope is that someday—at a large gathering of national significance (the Super Bowl for starters) someone will stand before those assembled and say, “Ladies and Gentlemen, would you all rise and join me in singing the National Anthem.” And then LEAD everyone there in singing the anthem. Now wouldn’t that be something!
And I don’t mean to criticize soloists, but when the “performance” is all about the performer, not the National Anthem, I lose patience. If we sing it together, we will sing it like it was written, and each time we will be refreshed and reminded again that we are Americans. (rant over
Here are a few more articles I wrote on this same topic.
Protocol questions—Parades, the Pledge, and the National Anthem
The National Anthem—Style over Substance
And last but not least, because you mentioned that you are a veteran, you might be interested in this topic on veterans saluting, which has been the most popular article ever posted on The Daily Flag.
As always, the comments are much more interesting than what I wrote.
Thank you for writing crabber1967, and best wishes—Deborah Hendrick
Is is a violation of protocol to “Present Colors” by a color guard to a song other than the National Anthem? The song was the “Negro National Anthem” at a cultural diversity program at a high school. While I do not care what the song was, the American National Anthem was not played and they presented colors to the alternate song. I am thinking that The National Anthem should have at least been played prior and the guard could have remained at present arms through the next song. My son is offended (Marine) and I am trying to prevent conflict.
Maria, thank you for writing, and I apologize for the delay in answering. Yes, it was a breach of protocol.
A color guard can present the colors without the National Anthem being performed. Boy Scouts do it every week in their regular meetings. The National Anthem can be performed without a color guard—schools do it every day. But there is no substitution for the National Anthem. We don’t present the colors to God Bless America or Lift Every Voice and Sing (The Negro National Anthem). These are wonderful patriotic songs, but they are not accorded the same honor as The Star-Spangled Banner.