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Stars and Stripes forever for me!

I really like the music from "To Anacreon in Heaven" by
the British composer John Stafford Smith with lyrics by Francis Scott Key.

Dave, that is a very sly smile on your face

I really like the music from "To Anacreon in Heaven" by
the British composer John Stafford Smith with lyrics by Francis Scott Key.


There is a lot to be said for the original lyrics:

To Anacreon in heaven where he sat in full glee,
A few sons of harmony sent a petition,
That he their inspirer and patron would be,
When this answer arrived from the jolly old Grecian:
Voice, fiddle aud 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 entwine
The myrtle of Venus and Bacchus's vine.

The news through Olympus immediately flew,
When old Thunder pretended to give himself airs,
If these mortals are suffered their scheme to pursue,
The devil a goddess will stay above stairs,
Hark! already they cry, in transports of joy,
A fig for Parnassus, to Rowley's we'll fly,
And there my good fellows, we'll learn to entwine
The myrtle of Venus and Bacchus's vine.

The yellow-haired god, and his nine fusty maids,
To the hill of old Lud will incontinent flee,
Idalia will boast but of tenantless shades,
And the biforked hill a mere desert will be,
My thunder, no fear on't, will soon do its errand,
And, damn me I'll swinge the ringleaders, I warrant
I'll trim the young dogs, for thus daring to twine
The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine.

Apollo rose up and said, "Prythee ne'er quarrel,
Good king of the gods, with my votaries below
Your thunder is useless - then showing his laurel,
Cried, Sic evitabile fulmen, you know!
Then over each head my laurels I'll spread,
So my sons from your crackers no mischief shall dread
Whilst snug in their club-room, they jovially twine
The myrtle of Venus and Bacchus's vine.

The sad thing is that it remains virtually unsingable.

Let's replace it with God Bless America, sung preferably by Kate Smith, with Ethyl Merman as backup.

Here is a Packard suitable moment: the introduction of God Bless Americahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnQDW-NMaRs&feature=related

Quote:

Pat, after one or two mugs of beer it should go. And as in Germany the 4th of July is already dawning warm greetings to you all!



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Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem that was the basis for the Star Spangled Banner while we held aboard a ship in Baltimore harbor by the British. The Banner in question was the the large flag over the Fort protecting Baltimore. At that time it was the largest flag in USA during the war of 1812. He watched the British shell the fort relentlessly (rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air), but in the morning the fort removed the battle torn flag that flew flew the night, and hoisted the large flag that could be seen for miles as message to British fleet that after shelling the fort of nearly 24hrs, that the were still there and ready to fight. The british pulled anchor and left believing the fort was untouchable.

Once his poem was finished it was published in the local papers where it was instantly popular, and eventually sung to the tune of the British drinking song "To Anacreon in Heaven".

The sad thing is that it remains virtually unsingable

I'll dispute that. I have been known to sing this song to the entertainment of all my friends - this after quenching my thirst with several glasses of Lynchburg lemonade.
If it was easy, anyone could do it. (you heard it here first)

AaH! Lynchburg lemonade. Many years ago at a bloodhound tracking course in Pennsylvania I won a raffle in which the 1st prize was a gallon jug of said "lemonade" but alas I didn't want to risk bringing it back into Canada lest I incurr the wrath of the Customs agents so it became the basis of a rollicking good time.

Rollicking - that's the word my friends used to describe my singing.

Anyone wishing to introduce bagpipes to this discussion is asked to start a separate thread.....