Star-Spangled bunglers

WASHINGTON – “Oh say can you” remember the rest of the words?

A lot of Americans can’t, so there’s a national effort under way to get people to learn the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“I don’t even want to try to say it because I don’t want to mess it up,” said Sandy Sexton, 40, of Capitol Heights, Md., adding she has great respect for the song.

Called the National Anthem Project, various workshops, in-school programs and public-service announcements are geared toward instilling in people the significance of the national anthem and its role in U.S. history. An emphasis will be placed on learning the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The National Association for Music Education, an organization of music teachers from preschool to graduate school, is leading the effort and getting help from a variety of musicians, organizations and lawmakers, as well as first lady Laura Bush, who is serving as honorary chairperson.

The effort kicked off Thursday on the west lawn of the Capitol with a performance of the anthem led by The Oak Ridge Boys and hundreds of school kids.

Schools across the country will be taking part in the project.