There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere
Encyclopedia
"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). The song was written during World War II
and was 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
fighting the Axis Powers
, somewhat akin to the concept of Valhalla
. The verses are a narrative of a young man who is crippled, but still yearns to fight and earn his place in this patriotic afterlife.
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; he is shown singing There's A Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere in prison.
Ballad of Francis Powers lyrics
Paul Roberts
Paul Roberts is an English singer who was the lead singer of The Stranglers between 1990 and 2006.-The Stranglers:...
and Shelby Darnell (a pseudonym for producer Bob Miller). The song was written during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and was 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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldiers
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
fighting the Axis Powers
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
, somewhat akin to the concept of Valhalla
Valhalla
In Norse mythology, Valhalla is a majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard, ruled over by the god Odin. Chosen by Odin, half of those that die in combat travel to Valhalla upon death, led by valkyries, while the other half go to the goddess Freyja's field Fólkvangr...
. The verses are a narrative of a young man who is crippled, but still yearns to fight and earn his place in this patriotic afterlife.
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
Gary Powers
Francis Gary Powers was an American pilot whose Central Intelligence Agency U-2 spy plane was shot down while flying a reconnaissance mission over Soviet Union airspace, causing the 1960 U-2 incident.- Early life :...
, who has been shot down on a spy mission over Soviet territory and taken POW; he is shown singing There's A Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere in prison.
External links
There's A Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere lyricsBallad of Francis Powers lyrics