There is no enforcement and no penalty for not singing or performing the National Anthem the way it is written (as shown in the U.S. Code).

While I personally prefer the National Anthem to be rendered “as written” (so I can sing along with it, even if under my breath), it has been open to interpretation for a long time. However, the performer’s decision to depart from the “as written” occasionally has very unfortunate consequences.

Recall what happened in October 1968, when Jose Feliciano was invited to perform The Star-Spangled Banner at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, during Game 5 pregame ceremonies of the World Series. His solo, heart-felt performance departed from the norm, and was highly controversial; the negative back-lash left Feliciano stunned and hurt—and severely damaged his career. You can search Feliciano’s performance on YouTube and you will be surprised because it is so mild; you’ll wonder why people got so upset about it. Jimi Hendrix’s performance at Woodstock the following summer was another blow to Star-Spangled Banner purists.

Since then, it seems the National Anthem has been open to interpretation. If you search for “The Star-Spangled Banner” or “The National Anthem” on YouTube, you will find hundreds of “performances.” Some performances are all about the song, and some are all about the performer.

It is my observation that the audiences are much more respectful to the flag (which is the point) and to the National Anthem, when the performer(s) sing it as closely as possible to “as written.” When the performance is all about the singer(s) the audience is not respectful to flag and do not stand at attention and salute the flag, but instead stamp their feet and clap or cheer, and then the meaning of the words is lost.

It is my fondest hope that someday an American singer of world-wide fame will come onto the field at the Super Bowl, and say to the crowd assembled there, “Ladies and Gentleman, will you stand with me, and join in singing the National Anthem,” and then lead everyone in singing the song in unison. Now that would be a performance.

I read the United States Protocol above and I couldn’t find what I was looking for- is the United States Anthem strictly enforced? I mean, does a singer have a right to sing it according to how he/she wants it to sang?I ask this question because a few years back, I caught a news segment where some sectors in the United States questioned how the national anthem is sung? So is it open for intrepretation or not? If not, what are the penalties of the singer?

I read the United States Protocol above and I couldn’t find what I was looking for- is the United States Anthem strictly enforced? I mean, does a singer have a right to sing it according to how he/she wants it to sang?

I ask this question because a few years back, I caught a news segment where some sectors in the United States questioned how the national anthem is sung? So is it open for intrepretation or not? If not, what are the penalties of the singer?

Thanks

Perhaps the UIL bylaws have rules regarding the National Anthem, but it sounds like it was just a stupid mistake.

Thank you for taking the time to write.

When our 150-man group of survivors returned home for discharge, we had the great honor of saluting a huge, garrison-sized flag for the first time in almost two years. Many of us wept openly.

That jackass commercial for “Mountain Dap” (as in bird dap) with the sick, screaming guitars almost turned my stomach.

As a lad growing up on a farm, we would have referred to the entire Pepsi outfit as a “bunch of pukes.” Today though, we would not accept a free ride to your headquarters building in order to break all the windows with rocks.