We all hear those patriotic songs that get us excited and happy! Here they are in MIDI form for you to listen to all you want plus a little history on each! The links provided are to sites with more information about the songs and composers.
Stars and Stripes Forever | Play MIDI
John Philip Sousa, the son of foreign parents, wrote many famous patriotic marches, the most famous of which is "Stars and Stripes Forever." Some even consider it a second national anthem. Sousa's patriotic blood ran through his veins early in his life; he was playing in the Marine band by age 13. Find out more.
Yankee Doodle Dandy | Play MIDI
An all time favorite that just about every American child has learned, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" was written by Richard Shuckburgh before the American Revolution. Find out more.
The 1812 Overture | Play MIDI
Tchaikovsky's Overture, with its cannon and bell-tolling, was intended for outside performance. Exactly how this work came to be associated with the celebration of Independence Day in the United States is not known, but its thrilling ending naturally lends itself to fireworks displays. Find out more.
The Star-Spangled Banner | Play MIDI
During the war of 1812, Francis Scott Key wrote the "Star Spangled Banner" as he was being held prisoner on a Royal Navy Frigate during the British attack on Fort McHenry. We usually only sing the first verse of his patriotic poem, though there are a total of four verses. Find out more.
The Battle Hymn of the Republic | Play MIDI
Julia Ward Howe wrote this song after having visited some of the Union troops with her doctor husband during the Civil War. Often she had thought of making new lyrics for the song, popular at that time, "John Brown's Body" and early one morning, the words came to her. Find out more.
America, the Beautiful | Play MIDI
Katharine Lee Bates wrote this song after she made an exhausting trek up Pike's Peak. She remarked that the view was breathtaking and showed how beautiful America is. Find out more.