Trivia - Our National Anthem

I was working on some nonsense for my personal Domestic Pagina and came upon the Anacreon Society which could portend either national significance or insignificance in this election year that has gone on so long. I am not so sure that if I were attending some event where our ‘National Anthem’ was being sung, wouldn’t prefer the original lyrics to Francis Scott Key’s inspiring poem about a battle and war. I am fairly confident that these candidate and especially all the political pundits who are telling us how we ought to think wouldn’t be better off with “The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS's Vine”.

Senex Magister

Anacréon, Bacchus and Cupid
(Anacréon, Bacchus and Cupid)

A noted Greek lyric poet of the sixth century BC, Anacreon composed verses about love, friendship, and wine, often calling on Eros, Dionysus, and Aphrodite for aid in pursuit of his pleasures. Anacreon's poetry was so popular in eighteenth-century England that a group of fun-loving men formed the Anacreon Society in 1776 with the goal of getting drunk and singing songs. The group's signature song "To Anacreon in Heav'n" became well-known in the United States, and eventually provided the melody for Francis Scott Key's "Star-Spangled Banner", officially adopted as the national anthem in 1931.

The
ANACREONTIC SONG

As Sung at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand

1

To ANACREON in Heav'n, where he sat in full Glee,
A few Sons of Harmony sent a Petition,
That He their Inspirer and Patron wou'd 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.

2

The news through OLYMPUS immediately flew;
When OLD THUNDER pretended to give himself Airs
If these Mortals are suffer'd their Scheme to pursue,
The Devil a Goddess will stay above Stairs.
"Hark! already they cry,
"In Transports of Joy
"Away to the Sons of ANACREON we'll fly,
"And there, with good Fellows, we'll learn to intwine
"The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS'S Vine.

3

"The YELLOW-HAIR'D GOD and his nine fusty Maids
"From HELICON'S Banks will incontinent flee,
"IDALIA will boast but of tenantless Shades,
"And the bi-forked Hill a mere Desart will be
"My Thunder, no fear on't,
"Shall soon do it's Errand,
"And, dam'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.

4

APOLLO rose up; and said, "Pr'ythee ne'er quarrel,
"Good King of the Gods with my Vot'ries below:
"Your Thunder is useless_then, shewing his Laurel,
Cry'd. "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 with BACCHUS'S Vine.

5

Next MOMUS got up, with his risible Phiz,
And swore with APOLLO he'd cheerfull join<
"The full Tide of Harmony still shall be his,
"But the Song, and the Catch, & the Laugh shall bemine
"Then, JOVE, be not jealous
Of these honest Fellows,
Cry'd JOVE, "We relent, since the Truth you now tell us;
"And swear, by OLD STYX, that they long shall entwine
"The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS'S Vine.

6

Ye Sons of ANACREON, then, join Hand in Hand;
Preserve Unanimity, Friendship, and Love!
'Tis your's 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.