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Star-Spangled Banner Quiz

Can you guess all the lyrics to the first verse of the U.S. national anthem?
Quiz by Quizmaster
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Last updated: August 28, 2018
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First submittedOctober 20, 2009
Times taken155,415
Average score71.0%
Rating4.31
3:00
Enter words here:
0
 / 62 guessed
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Keep scrolling down for answers and more stats ...
🇺🇸
Oh,
say
can
you
see
by
the
dawn's
early
light
🇺🇸
What
so
proudly
we
hailed
at
the
twilight's
last
gleaming
🇺🇸
Whose
broad
stripes
and
bright
stars
through
the
perilous
fight
🇺🇸
O'er
the
ramparts
we
watched
were
so
gallantly
streaming
🇺🇸
And
the
rockets'
red
glare
the
bombs
bursting
in
air
🇺🇸
Gave
proof
through
the
night
that
our
flag
was
still
there
🇺🇸
Oh,
say
does
that
star-
spangled
banner
yet
wave
🇺🇸
O'er
the
land
of
the
free
and
the
home
of
the
brave
+3
Level 46
Jul 3, 2014
Its a little bit sad that even many Americans hate their own country, too many people only think of the negatives in the USA.
+3
Level 35
Dec 15, 2015
Hating politicians who abuse patriotism in the quest for power and m oney is not the same as hating the country. Nor is hating the things they do. Hating what your country has become in the eyes of the world is not the same as hating the country either. We all wonder why Germans did not stand up to Hitler, but then refuse to stand up to Bush/Cheney as they marched into a country that did not attack us, and gave speeches threatening others who did not behave as they wanted them to. Sometimes the most patriotism is shown by those demanding the best from their country instead of ignoring the worst. Of course those who abuse our power are going to namecall and pretend those who are critical "hate" the country--it's the only thing they have. Wake up. Don't repeat such bs. Americans don't love the country less just because they demand it to be its best--any more than a parent hates a child when they demand it live up to its potential.
+2
Level 67
Jul 1, 2016
Many Americans do not hate their own country. Where are you getting that from? It is a core American value to challenge our government. So yeah, we hate Congress. A lot. But your government is not your country.
+2
Level 82
Jul 2, 2016
Many Americans do actually hate their country. I know several. Mostly Chomsky acolytes. Though there are some far right nuts who do, as well. I don't find the concept in itself sad, as no country really deserves to be loved or hated. Patriotism, and indeed nationalism, are ideas that ought to be retired from human consciousness. So to me the fact that they hate the US isn't as sad as the fact that, most of the time, the reason they hate the USA is that they believe some other country is better. All things of course being relative, it's very rare that I meet anyone who hates the USA for valid reasons.
+1
Level 83
Jul 3, 2014
It's appalling that there's only one word that had 100%. I didn't think it would be that low... I guess more Americans are taking this quiz than I thought.
+1
Level 24
Jul 3, 2014
I'm Canadian and I got all of it right...
+1
Level 87
Jun 25, 2017
That's good. Unfortunately I would not be able to return the favor to you, our northern friends, and rehearse (all of) O' Canada.
+1
Level 60
Jul 7, 2014
Not the Enrico Palazzo version, I see...
+1
Level 74
Jul 30, 2014
I had to sing it to remember it. Is that sad??
+1
Level 36
Aug 13, 2014
100% with 2:41 to spare; pretty proud right now.
+1
Level 14
Sep 17, 2014
Beat it with 1:26 left!
+1
Level 54
Oct 13, 2014
always thought broad was brought, but got it with 3 seconds left
+1
Level 11
Dec 24, 2014
Finised with 2:00 left, #USNAVY #HOOYAH
+1
Level 69
Jan 9, 2015
I am a war fanatic. Speaking of the Civil War, I've been to an actual battlefield. It is the one in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. My family owns an M1 Garand used in Vietnam. I own a pellet gun which is an impersonation of a Winchester 77
+3
Level 67
Jul 1, 2016
This was written during the War of 1812, not the Civil War.
+1
Level 66
Jan 27, 2015
Being from Denmark it is weird that I could do this in my sleep. And the same goes for the national anthems of Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom and Brazil. And Denmark obviously.
+2
Level 82
Jul 1, 2016
Go to a lot of sporting events?
+1
Level 62
Jan 27, 2015
I didn't even know America had an national anthem. I thought we were an autonomous collective.
+1
Level 15
Feb 18, 2015
Knew all of it, but can't spell perilous right.
+1
Level 21
Feb 20, 2015
Im Canadian, not in high school yet and I still got it PERFECT
+1
Level 56
Feb 23, 2015
I gotta say, it's annoying that it took me so long to figure out I had to type the words that were back-to-back as one entry.

I typed "broad" for "broad stripes" and then sat there. I hit enter, and it said it was not correct.

My confusion was great. It was greater when it wouldn't accept "red."

Once I figured out I was supposed to type two words, I was fine, but that is still kind of a bug...

+1
Level 51
Apr 12, 2015
Yeah, that annoyed me, too.
+1
Level 14
Mar 25, 2015
100% and I'm English :)
+1
Level 45
May 31, 2015
It always sounded like "gave through through the night"
+1
Level 77
Sep 10, 2015
'Merica!
+1
Level 35
Dec 15, 2015
NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR THOSE OF US WHO WERE NOT BORN WITH A KEYPAD AT OUR FINGERTIPS.
+1
Level 82
Jun 13, 2018
Most of the words in this song are 4 letters long or less. Pick up the pace.
+1
Level 31
Dec 16, 2015
It shocks me how many Americans don't know the lyrics to the national anthem. Missing one word is fine, but not knowing a whole line just seems crazy to me. You hear it so much growing up, it would be like not knowing the lyrics to Twinkle Twinkle. Granted there are some big words in there, come on.
+1
Level 63
Jan 27, 2016
There are non-American People on this site you know. From the comments you can tell that a few non-Americans are trying this. I didn't know the whole thing but got 53% and that's okay. I don't watch sports and got the answers I knew from watching Youtube videos of famous people singing it. Would you get 53% of a foreign anthem?
+1
Level 75
Jan 29, 2019
I wouldn't, but I would like to try if people want to post versions of their own anthems. (I think I've seen similar versions for Canada and Australia.) I could get a few words from the anthems of Canada, UK, and maybe Germany and Australia, but probably not other countries except common words.
+1
Level 45
Jun 9, 2016
I certainly hope that all US citizens aced this test. Probably those who missed some were from other countries, which is totally understandable.
+1
Level 65
Jun 9, 2016
Watch Watched Hail Hailed
+1
Level 49
Jun 25, 2016
I got 100% but feel kinda bad cause I had to fill it in out of order because I couldn't remember the second line...
+1
Level 74
Jul 1, 2016
It is "rockets' red glare", not "rocket's red glare". Plural possessive rockets, please.
+1
Level ∞
Jul 2, 2016
Fixed
+1
Level 75
Jan 29, 2019
How do you know there was more than one rocket? :)
+1
Level 45
Jul 2, 2016
Bizarrely, I have never heard the actual words to the song. I managed 25 out of 45 just by guessing random words.
+1
Level 44
Jul 6, 2016
As a Canadian, I think this means I watch too much sports...
+1
Level 37
Jul 27, 2016
I got 4 - star, spangled, banner and the. Not sure a British teen really does very well at this quiz...
+1
Level 37
Jul 27, 2016
Unless you watch sporting events, that is
+1
Level 23
Aug 28, 2016
Luckily they didn't quiz us on the other three verses... or the original Anacreontic Society lyrics.
+1
Level 40
Sep 16, 2016
USA! USA! USA!
+1
Level 13
Oct 5, 2016
Legit sang the song while doing this xD
+1
Level 37
Dec 15, 2016
I don't understand the partial scores for answers that I got outright.

I only missed one (broad) and that's probably because I misspelled it.

+1
Level 82
Jun 13, 2018
You can't get an answer partially right. What are you talking about? Does it say in the stats you got that answer right 50% of the time? You probably took the quiz before and forgot.
+1
Level 24
Dec 15, 2016
I swear I can never seem to remember how to spell perilous when I take this quiz!
+1
Level 58
Jan 4, 2017
As a European I know the story behind the poem and Francis Scott Key but I can only remember parts of the song and the rest gets mixed up with Oh Canada. :D
+1
Level 72
Feb 10, 2017
Another quiz where I would love to see the split in scores between American takers and non American, or even non North American's, just to see what the drop off is like.
+1
Level 48
Mar 6, 2017
Last word's wrong.

Should be CHIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEFS!!!

+1
Level 47
Jul 2, 2017
49/62 and from the 🇬🇧
+1
Level 35
Sep 3, 2017
great quiz got an a
+1
Level 37
Dec 17, 2017
I have many issues with this country,but the "Star Spangled Banner" never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Has anyone stopped to visualize

what the anthem was depicting? Awesome tribute to our soldiers (of

all eras)!

+1
Level 33
Jan 16, 2018
I'm from Canada and got a 98%...if it wasn't for the "O'er" i would have had 100%. I tried again and again to get that...knew what i wanted to put, but couldn't get the spelling....lol
+2
Level 49
Feb 6, 2018
Good luck getting through this quiz without singing the song in your head...
+1
Level 58
Apr 20, 2018
Got all the lyrics with 30 secs left and I'm neither American nor a native English speaker. So this is by far my greatest life accomplishment :(
+1
Level 78
May 11, 2018
Got every single word and I'm not even American.^^ Still I've heard the anthem often enough to know the words and every time I hear it I'm tempted to sing along...
+1
Level 20
May 15, 2018
super lit quiz
+1
Level 15
Jun 6, 2018
I'm Danish. I have NEVER been to the American continent. And I got 100%.
+3
Level 89
Jun 17, 2018
I'm American and I eat you for breakfast.
+1
Level 34
Jun 13, 2018
38/62. I memorized the whole song but I still forgot some..
+1
Level 89
Jun 17, 2018
Just run the Jimi Hendrix version through your mind. He'll guide you through it.
+2
Level 89
Jun 28, 2018
I stopped when the very first word is misspelled so I was left with Osaycanyouseebythedawnsearlylight on the answer box because it never cleared when I filled in the first word correctly. "Oh" is not the early 19th Century poetic spelling.
+1
Level 50
Jul 18, 2018
I am French and nailed it ...
+1
Level 20
Aug 28, 2018
The word "does" got to me.
+2
Level 76
Aug 31, 2018
Got the beginning and the end thanks to Tinseltown productions, did much better with O Canada, but scored 100% in the Spanish national hymn! Boo-yah!
+2
Level 37
Dec 7, 2018
Play Ball
+1
Level 23
Jan 22, 2019
I only know the first and last line, close enouh for someone who's not American :P
+3
Level 75
Jan 26, 2019
Too America-centric
+1
Level 48
Mar 4, 2019
Why do people know other words but not "watched"...
+1
Level 91
Jul 4, 2019
because most people think it is watch, not past tense.
+1
Level 43
Jul 4, 2019
I guessed the lyrics of my anthem and got 26 :)
+1
Level 45
Jul 5, 2019
100% with 44 seconds remaining. Not bad for a Canadian, right? I guess watching all those NHL hockey games have paid off.
+2
Level 57
Jul 6, 2019
Grapefruit through the night.
+1
Level 41
Sep 23, 2019
missed one because i couldnt spell perilous.
+2
Level 84
Feb 4, 2020
Didn't do great, but my main recollection of it is Frank Drebin's version in The Naked Gun so I'm blaming him.
+2
Level 89
Jun 15, 2020
I prefer this version.
+1
Level 63
Jul 5, 2023
I thought it couldn’t get worse that Carl Lewis’s legendary “Francis Scott off-Key” performance before the Nets game, but I do think he knew the words.
+1
Level 69
Sep 13, 2020
Haha now let's add the next verses which talk about killing slaves. 'Freedom' is a curious thing
+1
Level 49
Nov 13, 2020
Memorised from watching hockey lmao
+1
Level 32
Dec 10, 2020
I typed "we" like, ten times and it still didn't go through
+1
Level 26
Apr 4, 2021
Holy crap I just realized that this quiz is like 10 years old
+1
Level 45
Apr 26, 2021
The average score is 45.... I got 49.... but i only beat 47.7% of the other test takers. confusion.
+2
Level 73
May 14, 2021
what an honour to late, great Whitney Houston, inventor of the United States and the star-spangled banner
+2
Level 39
May 14, 2021
As an American, I have to say I am proud of our anthem
+1
Level 42
Jun 7, 2021
Not so easy if you are an egyptian, but I got 17, just by guessing common words...
+1
Level 36
Oct 10, 2021
I thought it was "ramparts we lost" wtf lmaoo
+1
Level 64
Jan 23, 2022
60/62 because

Said held for hailed

Who's for whose

+1
Level 47
Mar 15, 2022
I got 24 - Not American
+1
Level 37
Apr 23, 2022
Twenty-nine, not American either.
+1
Level 81
Apr 10, 2022
Lijepa naša
+1
Level 78
Jun 24, 2022
Objectively, this is a pretty cool anthem.
+2
Level 25
Jan 6, 2023
Aren't there like, 4 verses? I'm pretty sure there's more to the song
+2
Level 65
Feb 17, 2023
Kazakhstan is the greatest country in the world,

All other countries are run by little girls.

Kazakhstan is number one exporter of potassium,

Other Central Asian countries have inferior potassium.

Kazakhstan is the greatest country in the world!

All other countries is the home of the gays!

+1
Level 70
Jul 4, 2023
Tune originally written by a Brit and first used in the USA in 1889 by the US Navy, which was itself invented by a Brit.

...checks today's date...

Ungrateful colonials.

+2
Level 56
Jul 4, 2023
I guess I've seen too many NHL hockey games. This Canadian got 100%. Be sure to watch the YouTube video where the mic goes out at a Maple Leafs game and the crowd finishes the Star Spangled Banner for the singer. Cool!
+1
Level 88
Jul 4, 2023
That is cool! My favorite was when Mo Cheeks helped the girl at the Trailblazers game when she forgot the lyrics.
+1
Level 63
Jul 5, 2023
My favorite was I think the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals in Edmonton after some Americans had made negative comments about the Canadian anthem played before the games in the US. The Edmonton crowd took over from the singer entirely; it was excellent.
+1
Level 66
Jul 4, 2023
Good quiz, aced it. Lovely song as well. It's always a little surprising to me that it never became official until the 1930s.
+1
Level 63
Jul 5, 2023
It’s 2023 and I still dislike having the Star Spangled Banner be the American national anthem. Hail Columbia (currently the Vice President’s official theme) would be a far better choice.
+1
Level 36
Aug 2, 2023
Great quiz!
+1
Level 49
Dec 28, 2023
God bless the good ole USA!!