Since high school when I first really sang the anthem as part of choir, I've really been fascinated by old early American music...  including songs like Battle Hymn of the Republic too.

One thing that's always bothered me about the anthem though, vs those old songs, is that it has been commercialized and disrespected to the point that everyone seems to forget that the American Republic was forged in the burning fires of war.

So for this Independence Day... a celebration of American freedom, self-determination, and spurning of all foreign controls on our sovereignty...  I wanted to record an a capella performance of the song reflecting the warfare America was born in.

Millions of lives across a dozen generations fought for the freedoms of their family, present and future...  And while it has been corrupted across just as many generations, the spirit, the foundation myth of the United States of America is one that can inspire still.

In the words of Patrick Henry, "Give me Liberty, or give me Death."

Battle sounds from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBJ1CtQp-eo