Examining Hendrix's Star Spangled Banner

In the year of 1969, the most legendary of all music festivals occurred, Woodstock. A three day long festival, the final act was guitar god Jimi Hendrix. During his set he performed "The Star Spangled Banner" which would become arguably Woodstock's most memorable moment. In the year of 1969, social up-heavles were occurring in America like never before. The concept of what true patriotism embodied was being challenged immensely by new counter cultures. Hendrix's rendition of the "The National Anthem" was a testament to this change.

Below I have examined Hendrix's interpretation of the lyrics and melody. Lyrics are shown in white font. Commentary is shown in red. I suggest listening to the performance if available.

(The song begins valiantly with the fans holding their hands in the air. Hendrix smiles and flashes a peace sign.)
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, 

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, 

(Hendrix begins straying away from the original melody with improvisation at "perilous flight.")
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, (At ramparts he holds the note in an ugly sustain.) were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, (After "rockets' red glare" Hendrix goes into a furry of distortion, perhaps symbolizing both the terrifying and destructive characteristics of war.") the bombs bursting in air, (Hendrix does the same after bombs bursting in air.")

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave (The music comes to a halt after the question "O say does that star spangled banner yet wave", as if to provide a space of silence for an answer. Hendrix then comes back in with a roaring finale in which he emphasizes the word free and brave in the closing line of the song.)

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?