BITTERSWEET, Ky. — First, let me make something perfectly clear: My views on the huge discussion being held around the playing of our National Anthem is not what I’m talking about this week – rather, I’m addressing the song itself.

As most of us learned in fifth-grade history, “The Star Spangled Banner” was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 after a battle at Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It is said that Key was inspired by the sight of the flag waving over the fort the next day.

That’s about all most of us remember, other than the first verse. Key, a lawyer, was also an amateur poet and wrote the song, really, as a poem that would later be set to a tune known as "To Anacreon in Heaven."

In fact – and to be more accurate – the song comes from the poem entitled “Defence of Fort M'Henry," and there are actually four stanzas to the song. But it is the first and obviously the most well-known verse we hear sung before events big and small.

The song became popular back in the day and was immediately recognized as a patriotic kind of piece of music, and was often played during special events and on special days like July 4.

The song was put into official use in 1889 by the U.S. Navy and later by President Woodrow Wilson. It would not become the National Anthem, however, until 1931 by way of a Congressional Resolution signed by President Herbert Hoover.

Since then, there is rarely a sporting event of any magnitude that occurs without the benefit of the National Anthem being played or sang to start things off. The song is also heard at various other events including, of course, many political occurrences.

From a musical perspective, “The Star Spangled Banner” is as well known as any song ever written in this country. And it should be – it reminds us to show honor and respect for our country and the men and women who have served to defend it so well.

It’s a song to remind us of the storied history of our country and the founders of this great nation. It is a song that should unite us – all of us.

If we never learn the words to any other song, this is the one we should know by heart and sing from the heart, without exception.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.