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This is an essay written by the late Isaac Asimov, in March 1991.  Asimov, a prolific writer of science and science fiction, was born in Russia, and emigrated in 1923 with his parents when he was a young child. He became an American citizen in 1928.   The essay begins:

I have a weakness — I am crazy, absolutely nuts, about our national anthem. The words are difficult, and the tune is almost impossible, but frequently when I'm taking a shower, I sing it with as much power and emotion as I can. It shakes me up every time. I was once asked to speak at a luncheon. Taking my life in my hands, I announced I was going to sing our national anthem — all four stanzas. This was greeted with loud groans. One man closed the door to the kitchen, where the noise of dishes and cutlery was loud and distracting. "Thanks, Herb," I said. "That's all right," he said. "It was at the request of the kitchen staff."

I explained the background of the anthem, and then sang all four stanzas. Let me tell you, those people had never heard it before — or had never really listened. I got a standing ovation. But, it was not me; it was the anthem. More recently, while conducting a seminar, I told my students the story of the anthem, and sang all four stanzas. Again, there was a wild ovation and prolonged applause. And again, it was the anthem, and not me. So, now let me tell you how it came to be written.

 Please read the whole essay -- it's excellent prose from a master author.