Newcastle University researcher Oskar Jensen has uncovered some fascinating links to the original revolutionary politics of the US National Anthem.
Its long been known that the Star Spangled Banner started life as a drinking song first in Liverpool and then in London. Its original title Millions Be Free was in support of the French Revolution and against slavery.
It was taken up by amongst others the London Corresponding Society and Mary Wollstonecraft was known to be a fan of it, possibly helping to inspire her support for the French Revolution.
It made its way to New York via an economic migrant where it also had an anti-slavery focus before becoming later the US anthem. Meanwhile post Peterloo in 1819 it also resurfaced as a radical song in Britain.
E P Thompson in the Making of the English Working Class notes that Millions Be Free was sung at meetings of the radical Hampden Clubs in the run up to Peterloo in 1816 and 1817. The transatlantic link underlined by Jensen reflects the reality that the development of capitalism and those who opposed its exploitative system was global
Link to a Radio 3 broadcast on the above (25th September 2024)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00230k1
For anyone unable to access the link, there is more detail about the research here:
Kmflett's Blog 
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