The Anacreon Song

The song was written for the Anacreontic Society, probably around 1771. The tune (...) is now thought to have been written "collectively" by members of the society, led by John Stafford Smith (...). The society met every two weeks to get drunk, sing songs and to indulge in some debauchery. Anacreon himself was a Greek poet from about 570BC who was noted for his erotic poetry (...) and his drinking songs.

To Anacreon in Heav'n, where he sat in full glee,
A few sons of harmony sent in a petition
That he their Inspirer and patron would be;
When this answer arriv'd from the Jolly Old Grecian "Voice, fiddle and flute, "no longer be mute,
"I'll lend you my name and inspire you to boot,
"And, besides, I'll instruct you, like me, to intwine
"The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

(...)

Ye Sons of Anacreon, then join hand in hand;
Preserve unanimity, friendship and love!
'Tis yours to support what's so happily plann'd;
You've the sanction of Gods and the fiat of Jove. While thus we agree Our toast let it be:
"May our club flourish happy, united and free!
"And long may the sons of Anacreon intwine
"The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

Source: http://www.miketodd.net/encyc/anacreontext.htm ; song performed by John Townley, from The Top Hits Of 1776 on Adelphi Records.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• the
• anacreon
• song
• american
• anthem
• star spangled banner

[Iceman5164]

@mrtimetime123

No? Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner to be a Poem (He didn't even consider it the Star Spangled Banner, and it was 5 times longer than the song we know) it wasn't the Official National Anthem until 1931 and they only sang it to the tune of The Anacreon Song after the War of 1812 was over...

[beecausse]

@ipodtouchmoney the star spangled banner originated from this song.

[randall2020]

@SylverUnicorn You can find Oaks Ash and Thorns version at their site. oakashthorn(dot)com.

[mjaquim]

@Iceman5164 thank you for adding the information!

[mactech1984]

wow, just wow.

[mrklawonn]

so..........the American national anthem's tune originated from a drinking song

somehow that is just awesome

[thespecialneedsgroup]

@Iceman5164 Interestingly (well, at least to me), while he did write it as a poem rather than a song, Francis Scott Key likely did intentionally write it to match "The Anacreon Song's" meter. He had already written one song--"When the Warrior Returns," about the First Barbary War--that he did knowingly set to this song's tune.

[zava55]

God bless beer.

‎"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy"- Benjamin Franklin

[MasterO2]

@ipodtouchmoney the Star Spangled Banner's melody IS FROM this song!

[Udany147]

@ipodtouchmoney funny that

[tbdonnelly67]

This is good but check out the one by the Georgia Tech Glee Club.

[Benjaminwwvd]

Wow didnt realize that the star spangle melody came from this.