74 
SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 
Spangled Banner on the back of an old letter, which he 
drew from his pocket. He finished the poem later in 
the day after he had been allowed to land. The poem 
was first printed as a handbill enclosed in a fancy border ; 
but one of Key’s friends, Judge Nicholson, of Baltimore, 
saw that the tune of Anacreon in Heaven , an old English 
drinking song, fitted the words, and the two were quickly 
united with astonishing success. The old flag which 
prompted the poem is still in existence; it was made by 
Mrs. Mary Pickersgill. 
“ America” 
My country, ’tis of thee. 
Sweet land of liberty. 
Of thee I sing; 
Land where my fathers died. 
Land of the Pilgrims’ pride. 
From every mountain side 
Let freedom ring. 
My native country, thee. 
Land of the noble free. 
Thy name I love; 
I love thy rocks and rills. 
Thy woods and templed hills; 
My heart with rapture thrills 
Like that above. 
Let music swell the breeze. 
And ring from all the trees 
Sweet freedom’s song; 
Let mortal tongues awake. 
Let all that breathe partake, 
Let rocks their silence break. 
The sound prolong ! 
