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The "Star-Spangled Banner" had a rap verse in 1861

The original song, written by Francis Scott Key in 1814, was set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven". In 1861, a new version of the anthem was created for the Union Army, with a rap verse written by George P. Washburn Jr. The verse was meant to be a rallying cry for the soldiers, but it was eventually dropped due to its perceived lack of patriotism. Despite its short-lived existence, the rap verse remains a little-known footnote in American music history.