'O Say Can You Hear'

America's relationship with its national anthem is complicated. Author Mark Clague says it both "echoes the past and gives voice to our present."Clague is an author and musicologist. His new book on the history of Francis Scott Key's most famous work is called "O Say Can You Hear." But, Joseph Horowitz, our guide for this episode says America's national anthem is controversial today for three main reasons. Davone Tines, who also joins us for the conversation, has proposed one solution: replace it with "Lift Every Voice and Sing." This song was composed around 1900 by the brothers James Weldon and R. Rosamond Johnson. Beginning around World War I, it became known as the "Black national anthem."Whether it is on this day, or those other days when hope and history rhymes, Americans will take to their feet and sing that their flag is still there.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.