Stars and Stripes Forever is a patriotic American march written and composed by John Philip Sousa and published in 1897. In 1987, in an act of Congress, it became the official national march of the USA, traditionally played on July 4th, AKA Independence Day. Because July 4th is a very, very serious occasion and one that we all — regardless of national origin, gender identity, religious affiliation, political party, or allergies – should observe with dignity, solemnity, and hilarity. Oops, I mean solidarity. Ha!
In the spirit of national unity and non-parmesan patriotism, I would like to share three versions of America’s march. Simply select the one that gets your blood boiling, take out your favorite cymbals, and, standing on a chair in your front yard or on your fire escape, bang them together as hard as you can. Yoohoo!!!
But! If you found the above rendition a tad cutesy, here’s a version of Stars and Stripes Forever, conducted by Leonard Bernstein. {Alert: If you didn’t have ADHD before hearing this, you have it now.}
BTW, did you know that Bernstein ( we call him Lenny) lived for a time in Greenwich Village? Where I lived! OMG! OMG! I’m passing out here…
OK, knowing me as well as you do, and you do, I cannot let an opportunity slip by to include America’s most beloved and inspirational singing group in our July 4th celebration. No, my sissy billies, it’s not the Mormon Tobacconacle Choir – although they’re pretty good at stuff like this. It’s the Muppets!!!
Hey, if you love the Muppets, you will love their version of Bohemian Rhapsody. Just click here.
A July 4th Amble Down Memory Lane
And now, my friends, I’m going to change the subject. Ready. Set. Go. Between 1961 and 1965, families across the U.S. watched Sing Along With Mitch, hosted by a guy with a goatee named Mitch Miller. This black-and-white NBC-TV show featured Mitch conducting “The Gang,” tidy rows of men wearing tidy shirts, sweaters, and slacks, singing American standards, using simpleminded-but-tasteful harmony on the choruses.
These were songs every American was presumed to just know, but for those who didn’t, the words were flashed at the bottom of the TV screen. {Spoiler alert: there was no bouncing ball.}
Over time, it became a Sing Along With Mitch tradition to close with a parody of Stars & Stripes Forever. Burned into the brains of millions, it was written by Charles Randolph Grean and Joan Javits. Often known as the Crazy Mixed-Up Song, it is sung here by Homer and Jethro.
But our story would not be complete without a shoutout to Mr. Thomas Jefferson, the guy who wrote the thing. What? He’s shouting back? Ssshhhh, everyone, let’s listen in.
“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”
“Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle.”
Brava and encore! Very patriotic AND funny!!!
I was aiming for a spicy melange of humor and patriotism. Guess I succeeded! Thanks for reading!
Love it! I remember all the renditions!
Yay!!!! So glad you enjoyed my July 4th salute!!!
I am going with the Muppets! Great stuff. Thank you! Happy 4th !