Preschoolers To Sing National Anthem At Iron Birds Game

FOREST HILL, Md. (WJZ) -- The words to the national anthem may be some of the hardest to master, but one Harford County preschool class has the historic lyrics down.

Gigi Barnett explains they've got a big performance coming up.

In between brownie baking lessons at the Goddard School of Forest Hill, the five-year-olds are focused on the national anthem. The lyrics deserve sincerity and a two-handed heart salute.

It's well needed practice because the pre-K class will serenade fans at the Aberdeen Iron Birds game in Harford County on Thursday.

The words came easy for the young singers.

"I learned it in six days," one little girl said.

The best part of the 200-year-old song?

"When they say the bombs bursting in air because I like guns and bombs," said a student.

It is a song about the War of 1812 -- and the American flag.

While the students are practicing the national anthem, there's also the history behind it. Teachers say some of them already know the story.

"They were shooting at the flag when the guy said it was still there they thought the bad guy was going to win," said a student.

School owner Amber O'Brien says singing in front of a big crowd might be a little frightening for the five-year-olds, but there's a lesson they'll learn when the song is over.

"Self esteem-wise, the more up in front of people and out in front of others, the easier it gets. I see this as just setting that foundation," O'Brien said.

If you would like to see the five-year-olds perform at the Iron Birds game at Aberdeen Stadium, first pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

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