Spanish Version Of The National Anthem; Much Ado About Nothing

This is a Spanish version of the Star Spangled Banner that is supposed to be right off the web site of the U.S. State Department. I can't verify that, I looked in vain on that site and didn't find it. It is a large, clumsy site so I may easily have overlooked it. This is not the version that was recently released and has driven the right wing radio fruitcakes nutzola! There is also a report, now denied by the White House, that President Bush recently joined in the singing the National Anthem in Spanish. But the point is there have been several versions of the anthem in many languages over the years. This is another case of much ado about nothing.

Himno nacional - La Bandera de Estrellas
Amanece: ¿no veis, a la luz de la aurora, Lo que tanto aclamamos la noche al caer? Sus estrellas, sus barras flotaban ayer En el fiero combate en señal de victoria, Fulgor de cohetes, de bombas estruendo, Por la noche decían: "!Se va defendiendo!" Coro: !Oh, decid! ¿Despliega aún su hermosura estrellada, Sobre tierra de libres, la bandera sagrada? En la costa lejana que apenas blanquea, Donde yace nublada la hueste feroz Sobre aquel precipicio que elévase atroz ¡Oh, decidme! ¿Qué es eso que en la brisa ondea? Se oculta y flamea, en el alba luciendo, Reflejada en la mar, donde va resplandeciendo Coro:!Aún allí desplegó su hermosura estrellada, Sobre tierra de libres, la bandera sagrada! ¡Oh así sea siempre, en lealtad defendamos Nuestra tierra natal contra el torpe invasor! A Dios quien nos dio paz, libertad y honor, Nos mantuvo nación, con fervor bendigamos. Nuestra causa es el bien, y por eso triunfamos. Siempre fue nuestro lema "¡En Dios confiamos!" Coro:!Y desplegará su hermosura estrellada, Sobre tierra de libres, la bandera sagrada! (Versión en español de Francis Haffkine Snow. Copyright 1919)

Supporters of the Spanish version have said that Bush has often sung the National Anthem in Spanish. They cite a book, "American Dynasty," by conservative author Kevin Phillips, who wrote that Bush "would drop in at Hispanic festivals and parties, sometimes joining in singing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish." White House spokesman Scott McClellan told the truth for a change. He said it couldn't be true because "The president speaks Spanish, but not that well." McClellan continued "I'm saying that not only was that suggestion absurd, but that he couldn't possibly sing the national anthem in Spanish. He's not that good with his Spanish," McClellan said. Laura had no problem with a foreign version of the national hymn. "I don't think there's anything wrong with singing it in Spanish." She said she thought it should be sung in English, but pointed out that, "We are a nation of immigrants. We are a nation of many, many
languages, because immigrants come and bring their languages."

Links:
http://www.ostroyreport.blogspot.com/#111505A%20/
http://libpolrel.blogspot.com/http://libpolrel.blogspot.com/
http://fuzzyandblue.blogspot.com/
http://orwellsgrave.blogspot.com/
http://jcdesigns.blogspot.com/