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Song Parodies -> "The Star Spangled Banner"

Original Song Title:

"The Star Spangled Banner"

Original Performer:

Francis Scott Key

Parody Song Title:

"The Star Spangled Banner"

Parody Written by:

Rod Worden

The Lyrics

JULY 4, 2004. My native country is 228 today! Our national anthem, written by Francis Scott Key, was entitled "In Defense of Fort McHenry" and was written Sept 20, 1814. On March 3, 1931, the U S Congress proclaimed it our national anthem. Times have changed. And we've done some incredibly right --and and some incredibly wrong-- things as a nation. I truly hope we remain free enough --and brave enough-- to admit our mistakes, and to learn from them..
Oh-o say can you see our great country's mad plight?
World o-pinion is scorned, interferes with war strutting.
Our jet planes and big guns, missles, tanks, take the fight.
O'er the peoples we march, homeland liberties gutting.
And our leaders' stern glare, those old scores to set square
Begs pause through the strife-- Bill of Rights in cross-hair!

Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave??

After nine one one deaths, the world mourned the outrage,
Then came pay-back assaults, killing mothers and children!
In the ensuing hell, no clear rules to engage..
Every "terrorist" killed, spawned a-nother one times ten!
Through the neo-con din, Haliburtons raked in
A country despoiled. A preventable sin.

Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave??

Whither tools of Mass D, maybe hidden from sight?
We continue to search, but we're just not amassing..
Our troops die every day, in a vain show of might,
And the carnage goes on, for we still keep tresspassing..
And what's next, civil war--wider conflict in store?
It's all about oil, and who's on the ground floor!

Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave??

Oh the terrorist threat is not soon to abate.
And pre-emptive "just" wars, only divide our nation..
The world's full of grave threats, and yes, thugs with no state--
Shall we conquer all lands, would that be our salvation?
As our country expands, into more foreign lands,
What price, now or then, for our castles in sands?

Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave??

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Matches Pace of
Original Song: 
How Funny: 
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Voting Results

 
Pacing: 3.4
How Funny: 3.2
Overall Rating: 3.7

Total Votes: 37

Voting Breakdown

The following represent how many people voted for each category.

    Pacing How Funny Overall Rating
 1   7
 12
 7
 
 2   5
 3
 2
 
 3   6
 2
 2
 
 4   4
 4
 9
 
 5   15
 16
 17
 

User Comments

Comments are subject to review, and can be removed by the administration of the site at any time and for any reason.

EmiLoca - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
Why, you unpatriotic genius. Your idea worked way too well in this song, you un-Americanhead. Then again, I suppose a patriotic song based on a patriotic song wouldn't be so funny - oh, and by the way, this was VERY funny. 5's.
Rod - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
Thanks, Emi! Actually, I love this country, but I do not love some of the dangerous directions we are heading in. The Patriot Act(s) are just downright Orwellian and make a mockery of the Bill of Rights.
Johnny D - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
Let Freedom Of Speech ring! America is great, and I LOVE America! But America's the most powerful nation on the planet --- and with great power comes equally great responsibility. I still love America. I also love this parody.
Meriadoc - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
Um.... your pacing is really good! (It wasn't meant to be funny, right? :-) )
cory - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
what was this about if u don't like america nobody is forcing u to stay here i love america it's great so quit wining
Rod - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
Thanks, Johnny, I agree wholeheartedly! Merry: Um..Thank you, too! (No, it was not supposed to be funny. Nor was it supposed to be polarizing. I hope it stimulates some thought and/or discussion.)
Rod - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
Thanks, cory, both for loving this country,-- as do I --, and for having the guts to leave your name with the ones you dropped. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. But if you really love, this country, you would be familiar enough with this song to realize that the pacing was dead-on. And btw, cory, (if that is your real name), people who (think?) and react like you are not going to force people like me to leave!
alvin rhodes - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
well done, rod
Rod - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
Thanks, A R!
Homeland Security - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
Stay right where you are. We'll be with you shortly.
Rod - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
HS: Reminds me of the old line, "Hello, we're with the govt, and we're here to help you."
The Thought Police - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
5's ,because like a true American,you remembered to parody more than just one stanza!
Rod - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
Thanks TTP! You've just given me an idea--(or was it yours already?)--Why not a branch of the Dept of Homeland Security called The Thought Police!
The Cigarette-Smoking Man From The X-Files - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
So, "Rod"....(hhppphhhhh).....You think you're pretty smart, don't you?.....(hhhpphhhh)....We already knew what you were going to write in that last comment of yours before you wrote it.....(hhhhpphhh)....Heh heh *cough*cough*
Agent Mulder - July 06, 2004 - Report this comment
Back off, cig-man! We've been tailing this guy ever since he laughed at John Ashcroft's singing. SCULLY!!! Please!! Not now... oh.. well.. what the hell..
Laurence Dunne - July 07, 2004 - Report this comment
Interesting the number of people who commented on this song without voting for it. Lots of neutrals and uncertainty here.
Rod - July 07, 2004 - Report this comment
Thanks, Laurence! Actually, not as much as might appear. Don't know about "Homeland Security", but "Cig-Man" sure seems to have a Johnny D ring to me, and I did the "Mulder" thing. Btw, I see you've done over 60 of these! I just read the one about the Mini--loved it!
cory's friend - July 07, 2004 - Report this comment
Well, who uses their real names anyway, and what difference would if make if anyone did? If you had my real name, you'd do what? Come find me and have a 'talk' with me?
Rod - July 07, 2004 - Report this comment
Cory's friend: Peace, brother. Our country's going through some tough times. Maybe you have some friends or family in the service, or maybe you just lost your job, I don't know. I do know this: I did not write this parody to goad people into divisive commentary. If I offended you in some way, it was by accident. This is a GREAT country, and it can be even better if we all start thinking about 'the other guy/gal' every now and then. What's the alternative, go on the Jerry Springer show and throw chairs at each other?
Ashkicksass - July 07, 2004 - Report this comment
Wow. I am beyond impressed. This song would be very difficult to parody, and your pacing really was dead on. I would also like to add to some of the other commenters that it's possible to love your country, but still awknowledge the fact that it isn't perfect...
Rod - July 07, 2004 - Report this comment
Hi, Ash, always get a kick out of your name! Thanks for your kind and thoughtful comments!
John Jenkins - July 07, 2004 - Report this comment
Well done and thought-provoking, Rod. I have been trying to think of what you should have changed your two-line chorus to - and I didn't think of anything. I am a believer that in general, that government is best that governs least, so I agree with much of your theme.

But the war in Iraq was fought for several reasons, and I really don't think that oil was one of them. I think one of the primary reasons, that much of the media ignores, was to enforce the surrender terms of the 1991 Gulf War, which Saddam Hussein was not complying with, and became more important after 9/11.
Rod - July 08, 2004 - Report this comment
Thanks for dropping in, John, and sharing your comments. I strongly agree with you --and the framers of our constitution-- that govt is best that governs least. Out-of-control growth in govt is directly related to out-of-control spending. As for the two-line chorus, I purposely left it unchanged, as it perfectly expresses my feelings, and hopefully, will stimulate further thought and/or discussion about the issues raised therein. And speaking of issues, I sincerely hope you are right and I am wrong about the oil. Always a pleasure to chat with you, John.
Sweet Indigo - July 08, 2004 - Report this comment
Interesting. I don't think it was unAmerican (actually I thought it was very patriotic, though quite sad), but I'm as British as Buckingham Palace, so I wouldn't know. The pacing was good, the song was poetic... I'm not sure I'd agree with all of your statements, but I agree with the sentiment - I too hope we remain free and brave enough to admit our mistakes, and to learn from them... It's good to get people thinking :) (and thanks for parodying a singable song! woohoo!) And... what John said. Yeah. Keep up the good work!
Rod - July 08, 2004 - Report this comment
Sweet Indigo, thanks for your comments! Did you know you forgot to vote? Maybe that's a good thing for me.. =
Rod - July 08, 2004 - Report this comment
Sweet Indigo: The rest of my mssg didn't post, I was wondering which side of the pond you called home. And now let's see if the rest of the goofy face posts =
Sweet Indigo - August 16, 2004 - Report this comment
Hi there, Rod. I call the east side home... ah, the grand old UK.
Agrimorfee - August 19, 2004 - Report this comment
Wow! America, I love her, but I hate her sometimes. Quite possibly the best parody of the oldest parody in America (didja know that?). 555 just for the cajones to do all the verses.
Sister(Yours) - January 29, 2005 - Report this comment
You were dead on the whole gig...Who else could have done this?? I don't see anybody with the #$%&'s so know you did a super job ...pacing great and the whole concept was right on.. Keep em coming!
ScrewAmerica - August 15, 2009 - Report this comment
I like this it works well and says the truth tbh, most people do not realize that the US is the most scorn country on the planet. Grow the hell up and smell the Americano (pussy version of an espresso)
Elvie - July 27, 2010 - Report this comment
Well this is thought provoking indeed! Well done! Hurrah!

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