George Weigel wants to switch the national anthem to "America the Beautiful" because "The Star-Spangled Banner" won only narrowly in the 1931 Congressional vote, is too hard to sing and "America the Beautiful" is just better. Never mind that Key's poem was set to what was orginally a London drinking song - "not a disqualification for right-thinking Catholics, although it might vex some of the evangelical brethren ..."¹

To suggest this at all can only mean that Weigel has forgotten the significance of the War of 1812.

Granted around American holidays, our recessional hymn will be some patriotic song other than the national anthem. I'm not sure why.

Isn't the tension always between elevation worthy of a sublime purpose and accessibility to all? Generally, I'm for keeping things simple and obvious. But I think SSB is the better song. One sings it, butchers it, aspires.

¹ It seems to me only the rare evangelical doesn't drink.