"There's a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere" is a patriotic anthem written in 1942 by
Paul Roberts and Shelby Darnell (a pseudonym for producer
Bob Miller). With
Elton Britt's version selling well over one million copies, the song was
country music's greatest World War II hit, though ''
Your Hit Parade'' would not feature the song in its original country music format.
History
The song was completed, along with other tunes, on Swan's Island, Maine, where Paul Roberts visited and performed with his soon to become wife, Annie Marrithew, during
World War II. The song enjoyed its greatest popularity during the war years. The ''somewhere'' in the title of the song refers to an idealistic version of heaven reserved for the brave
U.S. soldiers
A soldier is a person who is a member of an army. A soldier can be a conscripted or volunteer enlisted person, a non-commissioned officer, or an officer.
Etymology
The word ''soldier'' derives from the Middle English word , from Old French ...
fighting the
Axis Powers, somewhat akin to the concept of
Valhalla. The verses are a narrative of a young disabled man, who still yearns to fight and earn his place in this patriotic afterlife.
Elton Britt's version was recorded in 1942 with President Roosevelt asking Britt to perform the song for him at the White House.
Jimmy Wakely recorded a version in June 1942.
Gene Autry
Orvon Grover "Gene" Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), nicknamed the Singing Cowboy, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, musician, rodeo performer, and baseball owner who gained fame largely by singing in a crooning s ...
sang the song on his "Sergeant Gene Autry Show." on Sunday, August 16, 1942.
Other versions
Other lyrics to this melody have been recorded by
Red River Dave in 1960 and called ''Ballad of Francis Powers''. This is a song about the U.S. flier,
Francis Gary Powers, who has been shot down on a spy mission over Soviet territory and taken
POW
A prisoner of war (POW) is a person who is held captive by a belligerent power during or immediately after an armed conflict. The earliest recorded usage of the phrase "prisoner of war" dates back to 1610.
Belligerents hold prisoners of war ...
; he is shown singing ''There's A Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere'' in prison.
Numerous performers have recorded "There's a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere" through the years. One of the most successful versions was recorded by country music artist
Elton Britt, whose version reached No. 7 on the ''Billboard'' magazine's pop chart in 1942. Another recording was made by country singer
Wynn Stewart, on his 1968 Capitol Records album ''In Love''.
ian
Peter Grudzien recorded a
gay-themed version of the song on his album ''The Unicorn'' in 1974; this recording was featured on the 2000 compilation ''
Songs in the Key of Z''.
References
;Bibliography
*
External links
''There's A Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere'' lyrics''Ballad of Francis Powers'' lyrics
American patriotic songs
Songs of World War II
1942 songs
1942 singles
North American anthems
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