The Flag of Living Stars ©2002 All Rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Frances Key
A new flag anthem by another 'Frances Key' from the CD The Mountain of Peace featuring Frances Rae Key & The International Peace Performers.
Words and music by Frances Key, tracks by Cyrille Verdeaux, lead by Warren Halstrom.
"The Flag of Living Stars", by Frances Rae Key, descendant of Francis Scott Key, is a song of peace and unity for our troubled world today.
Although the song is loosely woven around the U.S. National Anthem, it features a new melody and a new emphasis- that of universal citizenship as well as national citizenship. Using the analogy of the sky being the flag for all people on planet Earth, "The Flag of Living Stars" urges us to strive for justice and freedom for everyone, everywhere. In this way does the piece honor the original anthem, yet transcends and lifts it to a new level.
Listen to The Flag of the Living Stars -
THE FLAG OF LIVING STARS
By Frances Key, © copyright 2002
Above this earthly flag,
Flies another higher still;
With living stars, and rainbow stripes,
Human hands could never yield.
A flag of Light and Hope,
Storms of war cannot destroy;
A flag that begs the world to look,
Beyond its teeming shores.
All the world is our country,
And the sky is our flag;
Yes, the earth is our mother,
And our Father is Love.
You and I are the children,
Who must save this sphere of land:
That cries out for liberation,
From division made by flags.
Oh, could we learn to follow,
The flag hung by angel hands?
In the cathedral of the Universe,
It flies ‘cross every land.
And if we lift our eyes,
To the moon, the stars, and sun;
Then might we hear the ancient truth-
In spirit we are one.
All the world is our country,
And the sky is our flag;
Yes, the earth is our mother,
And our Father is Love.
You and I are the children,
Who must save this sphere of land:
That cries out for liberation,
From division made by flags.
Oh, say does that flag of living stars ever wave,
O’er a world that should be free,
Where we all can find a place,
Of peace, of hope, of truth, of freedom, for everyone…
Background
Many years of work with refugees led me to form a chorus of international youth, and to write music about peace for them to sing. It has been such a joy to use my heritage and the recognizable name I bear to further the message of peace in the world today. In spite of all outward appearances, I still believe there is a chance for us to see peace in our time.
To contact Frances Key or purchase the her music visit the website at The International Peace Performers at http://www.peaceperformers.org/