The Third Verse

  I learned a little something about our history

And the poem written by Francis Scott Key

In a battle that was intensely heated

He was overjoyed that the British were defeated

He penned “land of the free, home of the brave”

Feeling elated when he saw the flag making a gallant wave 

The third verse relishing that they couldn’t save 

The flight of the slave from the sorrow of the grave

What was the reason behind the third verse written by Francis Scott Key

That shaped our lives and tarnished our history

Into our past I thought I would delve

And found a hidden reason behind the War of 1812

Maritime slave Impressment from the British made the U.S. very skittish

Land of the free and home of the brave wanted to keep the black man his forever slave

With reserve and false nobility the British sought to set the U.S. slave free

Without jeopardizing what they had in the West Indies

When he looked out and saw the British defeat

He wrote the third verse making his jubilant feelings complete

Plantations and slavery would continue to define southern life

Confining the black man in bondage and strife

Justice written back then didn’t include us

Now we look at the flag and raise a gallant fuss

Demanding the freedom they wouldn’t give

So life for us would be worthy to live

Hatred and outrage can rise pretty quick

We see this with Nike and Colin Kaepernick

It’s sad when a race is looked at with disdain

Because their ancestors didn’t stay bound in a chain

While the Star-Spangled Banner is sung, and the flag still waves 

What does it mean for the descendants of the slaves

Some don’t want us to speak out it will make things worst

We ask—what can they glean from Francis Scott Key’s third verse

Learning our history can make a weak man bitter and hard

We must remember our deliverance lies in the wisdom and knowledge of God

When others make life unbearable to live our real Master and Savior taught us to forgive

In Him we find our peace in hopes our struggle will someday cease