Subject: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Jennifer Burdoo Date: 04 Nov 98 - 04:47 PM I read in the excellent picture book by Peter Spier that Francis Scott Key's 'By the Dawn's Early Light' was set to the music of a British drinking song. This kinda makes sense as it is nearly impossible to sing in key unless you're drunk! What are the words to the original song? It might have been called 'Anacreon'? Thanks, Jennifer |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Ralph Butts Date: 04 Nov 98 - 04:58 PM I think it's "To Anachreon, in Heaven", but I don't have the words. I have a 100-year old Swiss music box with this tune on it. Don't know if the maker was doing the Star Spangled Banner or Anachreon. In any case, it was long before the song was adopted as the National Anthem. ......Tiger |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Bill in Alabama Date: 04 Nov 98 - 05:19 PM Don't have the words ready at hand, but I think I remember reading that the poem set to this tune was called "To Anachreon In Heaven." |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Art Thieme Date: 04 Nov 98 - 05:22 PM Just an aside: Did all you good Mudcat folks realize that Francis was actually a relative of a pretty famous guitar picker, Leo Kottke ?? Sure---------FRANCIS KOTTKE !!! Art |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: dick greenhaus Date: 04 Nov 98 - 06:30 PM Puns aside, you might try a search for Anacreon. The DT has a lot of songs in it. |
Subject: Lyr Add: TO ANACREON IN HEAVEN From: rich r Date: 04 Nov 98 - 06:50 PM Here is one version of "To Anacreon In Heaven". According to Sigmund Spaeth (Read 'em & Weep 1939). The tune was written around 1771 by John Stafford Smith. The song was the official song of the Anacreontic Society of London. More about that in another post. TO ANACREON IN HEAVEN
To Anacreon in heav'n where he sat in full glee;
The news through Olympus immediately flew,
The yellow-hair'd god, and his nine fusty maids
Apollo rose up; and said, Pr'ythee ne'er quarrel,
Next Momus got up, with his risible phiz, Hey, happy scanning and singing. See if you can get all those syllables to fit and still hit the high F. There's also a bunch of footnotes that explain some of the references. I'll enter those if there is a groundswell of clamour. rich r |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: rich r Date: 04 Nov 98 - 07:03 PM Computers can be a horrible thing. I missplelled Anacreon, didn't find it and expended 7.2 kcal. typing in all those weird words. Another person, smarter than I, would probably have searched for the Star Spangled Banner and found the correct link. I will add here that the tune was immensely popular in the late 18th and early 19th century. One source says that at least 85 versions of the song have been found. rich r |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Joe Offer Date: 04 Nov 98 - 09:28 PM I've seen those lyrics to "TO ANACREON IN HEAVEN" before, and I made a really honest attempt to sing it. The words don't seem to quite fit the tune. Has anybody ever heard (or done) a credible rendition of the song? Would anybody ever want to? Seems to me it would sound horrible. Then again, I'm not too fond of "Star Spangled Banner," and would prefer "America the Beautiful." -Joe Offer-
|
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: rich r Date: 04 Nov 98 - 10:25 PM I think some of the scanning problem arises from slight variants in the tune itself. Sigmund Spaeth in bits of sarcasm states that Ferdinand Durang did the necessary squeezing and fitting when he put keys poem "The Defence of Fort McHenry" to the Anacreon tune and that the early words "fit the music just about as snugly as Mr. Key's". Spaeth goes on to say that "there are many slight variations in the melody,which has always, of necessity, been a flexible affair" So, Joe you just need to practice and add lib a bit. It doesn't come out right the first time, somethimes you get a line right by pure luck and then can't repeat it. rich r
|
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: rich r Date: 04 Nov 98 - 10:28 PM I should have added that if you watch any major telvised sporting events like the World Series, Super Bowl etc., it becomes quite obvious that even today singers can be "very" flexible with the melody. rich r |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Pete Peterson Date: 04 Nov 98 - 10:39 PM I would have posted Spaeth's words had a previous poster not beat me to it. I understand from reading somewhere that the tune was a popular one and used as a campaign song for the first Adams under the title Adams and Liberty but don't have words for that. A friend and I occasionally do historical gigs & when doing Revo War gigs explain that we can't do the Star Spangled Banner because it hadn't been written yet, but it WOULD be in period to do the song that was used as the tune-- "our country's national anthem started as a pagan drinking song." (And just why is that eye staring at me from the back of the one dollar bill??!!) Pete |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Earl Date: 05 Nov 98 - 09:59 AM Don't forget the other alternative lyrics:
Oh say can you see, |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: nejat@coe.uga.edu Date: 05 Nov 98 - 04:05 PM And then there was the joke about the Latin fellow who couldn't see the ball game and someone suggested he climb the flag pole and afterwards he was so impressed because everyone was concerned about him because they sang: Jose, can you see? |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: rich r Date: 05 Nov 98 - 07:56 PM SONG FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1795; The Anniversary of American Independence "Sung at an elegant Entertainment given by James Munroe, the American Minister at Paris, in presence of a numerous partyof French and American Citizens, convened at his house, to celebrate the day. Written at Paris, 2d July, 1795, by a Citizen of the United States." Philadelphia General Advertiser, January 9, 1796.
In climes where fair Freedom, secure from her foes,
rich r |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Bruce O. Date: 06 Nov 98 - 04:45 PM The earliest known copy of "The Anacreontic Song" is in a songbook without music of 1778, (The Vocal Magazine) and is reproduced in Oscar Sonneck's monograph 'The Star Spangled Banner', Washington, Government Printing Office, 1914. [An earlier version, 1909, had to be revised after some fantastic claims by Wm. Grattan Flood.]
Sonneck reviewed the whole history of "Star Spangled Banner" and "To Anacreon in Heaven", and the tune and reproduced several copies of both and notes on several other late 18th and early 19th century songs sung to the tune. He also reproduced the original manuscript of Francis Scott Key's "The Star Spangled Banner", and the original broadside of it, as well as the text in 'The Baltimore American, Sept. 21, 1814.
The evidence as to who wrote the song "To Anacreon in Heaven" is pretty strong that it was by Ralph Tomlinson, but exactly when is not certain. An unsubstantiated claim was that it was published in 1771 (not counting Grattan Flood's claim of 1762). The best, but by no means conclusive evidence, is that the tune was by John Stafford Smith, but Smith didn't publish the tune himself until years after it appeared as a single sheet song with music in London (Longman and Broderip issues) and Dublin (Ann Lee and E[liz.]. Rhames issues). [These are reproduced in Sonneck's monograph.]
[For American music history see Sonneck Society on the web. I found the original monograph in my local secondhand book store about 2 years ago. Original and reprint issues can be found under Oscar Sonneck at www.bookfinder.com] |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Barbara Date: 06 Nov 98 - 05:18 PM I've heard Anacreon in Heaven sung, and the tune IS slightly different, and goes faster, and a bit bouncier, if the rendition was right. (more dotted eighths and sixteenths rather than straight eighths). Would that be at the Levy site? Blessings, bArbara |
Subject: Tune Add: THE ANACREONTIC SONG From: Bruce O. Date: 06 Nov 98 - 05:36 PM DT has two copies of "To Anacreon" (and neither with tune)? Here's the tune from the earlier of the two Longman and Broderip single sheet issues (178-).
X:1
|
Subject: ADD: ADAMS AND LIBERTY From: rich r Date: 06 Nov 98 - 10:34 PM ADAMS AND LIBERTY words by Thomas Paine, 1798 tune "Anacreontic Song"
Ye sons of Columbia, who bravely have fought,
In a clime, whose rich vales feed the marts of the world,
The fame of our arms, of our laws the mild sway,
While France her huge limbs bathes rucumbent in blood,
"Tis the fire of the flint, each American warms;
Our mountains are crown'd with imperial Oak
Let our Patriots destroy Anarch's pestilent worm,
Should the Tempest of War overshadow the land,
Let Fame to the world sound America's voice; This song was one of the most popular of 1798, second only to "Hail Columbia". The Thomas Paine who wrote these words is not the same Thomas Paine who wrote "Common Sense" This T Paine was commissioned by the Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society. It is reported that he may have had a drinking problem. Perhaps that helps fit the words to the tune. He also got $750 for the song, no small amount in those days. Sigmund Spaeth describes him as "the most handsomely paid literary hack of his day." Spaeth also suggests that this song was one of the earliest reasons that political meetings became so long. In 1828 essentially the same song was recycled under the title "Adams and Clay" with the substitution of the couplet:
With hearts tuned to rapture, let's hail this bright day, rich r
|
Subject: Lyr Add: THE BATTLE OF NORTH POINT From: raredance Date: 04 Mar 01 - 06:34 PM THE BATTLE OF NORTH POINT (tune "Anacreon in Heaven") Selections from a 14 stanza ballad printed in "American Songster" (1851). The lyric itself is undated. These 5 verses are printed in "Music for Patriots, Politicians, and Presidents" by V. B. Lawrence (1975).
Hark, hark, was the cry, when Baltimore town After the capture of Washingtonin August 1814, the British turned their attention to Baltimore. Invastion forces led by British General Ross landed at North Point on September 12. Ross is said to have made the statement that he would dine in Baltimore on the 12th of September, or in hell, he cared not if it "rained" militia. Ross was killed as the invaders were repulsed. The following night (Sep 13-14) the British fleet shelled Ft. McHenry in Baltimore harbor. That assault, too, failed and was memorialized by Francis Scott Key's poem. The British then withdrew. "Cockburn" refers to British Admiral Sir George Cockburn who had ordered the burning of Washington. "Armistead" is Lt-Colonel George Armistead, the commander of Ft. McHernry. rich r |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED From: raredance Date: 04 Mar 01 - 06:42 PM Here's another text from early in the Civil War
THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED rich r |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Callie at work Date: 04 Mar 01 - 08:23 PM A slight diversion: Happily, you can sing the words to "Gilligan's Island" to the tune of the Australian national anthem very well. Callie |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: masato sakurai Date: 16 Oct 02 - 01:51 PM The tune in Mudcat MIDIs seems to be based on a later version of "The Star-Spangled Banner." See (& hear) versions of it and of the first edition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" [for example, the first two notes are different]. All are from the Levy Collection. Title: The Anacreontic Song. Composer, Lyricist, Arranger: the Words by Ralph Tomlinson, Esqr., late President of that Society; [Music attributed to John Stafford Smith (1750-1836)]. Publication: London: A. Blands, Music Warehouse, 23, Oxford Street, 1784-1792].. Form of Composition: strophic with SATB chorus Instrumentation: voice, piano (two voices, bass and treble), German flute, guitar First Line: To Anacreon in Heav'n where he sat in full Glee First Line of Chorus: And besides I'll instruct you like me to intwine Performer: as Sung at the Crown of Anchor Tavern in the Strand Subject: Drinking Subject: Singing Subject: Gods--Greek Subject: Myths Call No.: Box: 000 Item: 001 Title: King and Country. An English Patriotic Song Taken from the Boston Patriotic Song of Adams and Liberty. Composer, Lyricist, Arranger: Written by Thomas Paine A.M. To the Tune of Anacreon. Publication: London: W. Milhouse, Musical Instrument Maker, 337 Oxford Street, n.d.. Form of Composition: strophic with refrain Instrumentation: piano and voice First Line: Ye Sons of Brittannia who bravely have fought First Line of Chorus: As ne'er should the Sons of Brittannia be slaves Subject: Patriotism Subject: Liberty Subject: Wars Call No.: Box: 002 Item: 016 Title: The Battle of the Wabash A Patriotic Song. Composer, Lyricist, Arranger: Written by Joseph Hutton, to the favourite Air of Anacreon in Heaven [following song is text for "Fort McHenry, or, The Star Spangled Banner." Publication: Philadelphia: G.E. Blake, n.d.. Form of Composition: strophic Instrumentation: voice and piano (two voices, treble and bass clefs) First Line: In the dead of the night when aloud on the air Performer: "Star Spangled Banner" Sung with great applause by Mr. Harding, at the Theatre Baltimore Subject: Wars Subject: Campaigns & battles Subject: Flags Subject: Patriotism Title: The Defense of Fort McHenry (Star-Spangled Banner). The Grandest of American Patriotic Songs. Composer, Lyricist, Arranger: The Immortal Lyric by Francis Scott Key. Music by James M. Stewart. Publication: Washington, D.C.: E.F. Droop & Sons, 1894. Form of Composition: strophic; different tune than "Anacreon in Heaven" Instrumentation: voice and piano First Line: O say can you see by the dawn's early light Dedicatee: To Prof. Joseph H. Daniel of Washington, D.C. Engraver, Lithographer, Artist: J.M. Armstrong Co., Music Typographers, 710 Sansom St., Phila. Subject: Patriotism Subject: Flags Subject: Campaigns & battles Call No.: Box: 000 Item: 005 Call No.: Box: 000 Item: 004 Title: The Star Spangled Banner. A Pariotic Song. [sic] [First edition]. Composer, Lyricist, Arranger: Adapd. & Arrd. by T.C. Publication: Baltimore: Carrs Music Store, 36 Baltimore Street, n.d.. Form of Composition: strophic with chorus Instrumentation: voice and piano; flute part included First Line: O! say can you see by the dawn's early light First Line of Chorus: O! say, does that star spangled banner yet wave Engraver, Lithographer, Artist: (Tssb.) Subject: Flags Subject: Patriotism Subject: Campaigns & battles Call No.: Box: 000 Item: 000 "The Anacreontic Song" and a nineteenth-century version of "the Star-Spangled Banner" can be heard HERE. "The Anacreontick Song" from John Stafford Smith's Fifth Book of Canzonets (London, ca. 1785) [reproduced in Oscar Sonneck's Report on The Star-Spangled Banner, Hail Columbia, America & Yankee Doodle, 1909; rpt. Dover, 1972, p. 169] is more different; it is on The Hilliard Ensemble: The Singing Club (harmonia mundi [France] HMC 901153). Even the 1884 version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" arranged by Collin Coe (CLICK HERE for MIDI) sounds somewhat different. ~Masato |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Don Firth Date: 16 Oct 02 - 02:46 PM Try singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" to the tune of "Wildwood Flower." With a little minor nipping and tucking, it works! Don Firth |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: wysiwyg Date: 16 Oct 02 - 06:31 PM LOL! That's awful! I love it! ~S~ |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Joe_F Date: 16 Oct 02 - 07:52 PM Or If you'll please pick a few, I will fry them for you. W.W. I taunt (breaks off from the tune after the 4th word): O say, can you -- imagine, mother, Your boy is in the guardhouse now. |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: GUEST,Paul J Parkinson Date: 23 Feb 05 - 09:09 PM Yes it is from an old drinking song. You can hear most of the lyrics inn a song called 'Our National Anthem' by 'Negativland', on the CD 'FREE' ! |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 23 Feb 05 - 09:22 PM See thread 35290 for history and versions of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Star-Spangled Banner |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: GUEST,Gerry Date: 24 Feb 05 - 06:13 PM Anyone remember the Albert Brooks parody? As we stand here waiting For the ballgame to start Let's give thanks for our homes And our two-car garages. Let's give thanks for TV.... |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: GUEST Date: 06 Jun 05 - 02:45 AM Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light. Whats so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: GUEST Date: 09 Oct 05 - 07:56 PM were was the star spangled banner written? |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: John on the Sunset Coast Date: 09 Oct 05 - 09:40 PM Best as I recall my history, FSK wrote the poem whilst observing the British bombardment of Ft. McHenry, or shortly thereafter. |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Margret RoadKnight Date: 09 Oct 05 - 09:40 PM "Oh say can you see my eyes? .... if you can, then my HAIR's too short ..." |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: Celtaddict Date: 09 Oct 05 - 10:23 PM The late Tayler Vrooman (yes, that is how he spelled it), who performed for many years at Colonial Williamsburg, did the only version of "To Anacreon in Heaven" I have heard that sounded as if it actually fit. When he realized his time was short, he made a couple of tapes of the historic songs he used to perform there; they were available at the Williamsburg gift shop in the late 80s-early 90s anyway. |
Subject: Spanish version, 2006 From: Haruo Date: 29 Apr 06 - 04:04 AM The Immigrants-Rights movement has stirred up a bit of extra excitement through a recording of a Spanish version of the Star-Spangled Banner. I gather the President actually weighed in on the side of not besmirching this song by singing it in unAmerican languages. Article in Washington Post by David Montgomery. We had a bit of argument over it on BaptistLife.com, a board I frequent, and I posted there the Vietnamese, Portuguese and Polish lyrics I found on the respective Wikipedias. For any who may wish to sing them in contravention of Mr. Bush's demand... And FWIW I am looking for a Swahili version! Haruo |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: stallion Date: 29 Apr 06 - 06:23 AM about twenty years ago i sang a parody in a folk club, i probably learnt it from Jim McFadyen, any way as i started a huge chunk of the audience stood and joined in,hand on hearts and sang the real version, after they hadn't realized i hadn't sung the right words! |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: GUEST,Juneau Mike Date: 01 Sep 06 - 08:44 PM The best version of "Anacreon" I've heard was sung by a group called "Oak, Ash, & Thorn," a bay area (CA) group I believe is still performing. They have a website too (do a Google search). They did the first and last verses only, which made it short enough to be entertaining without dragging on and on (there are six verses). A few days after the 9/11 attacks, I sang the "Banner" (first verse: there are several verses of "The Star Spangled Banner" out there somewhere), followed by "Anacreon" (the two verses I know), in front of the open mic crowd at the Alaskan Bar. Both were a big hit. |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: GUEST,Joe_F Date: 01 Sep 06 - 09:13 PM Early in their marriage (probably the minus second year), my parents decorated the guest room in our house in Vermont in red, white, and blue, and stenciled the first two lines of the Star-Spangled Banner around the molding next to the ceiling. My mother's sister's husband (I was told) saw it in the morning and awoke my aunt with a guffaw. --- Joe Fineman joe_f@verizon.net ||: Consoling the useless is some use. :|| |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: catspaw49 Date: 01 Sep 06 - 09:21 PM ATTENTION THERE JUNEAU MIKE Dave Swan of "Oak, Ash, and Thorn" is a regular poster here at Mudcat and although they are a good group, we all knoe that El Swanno's better half is really his better half! Dave is also a founding partner in Lane, Fielding, Patterson, and Swan...Layabouts-At-Large. We do the laying about for all those folks who are so busy they have no time for R&R. No problem! LFPS does the R&R for them and sends the bill. Our slogan is "We do nothing for you! It's the least we can do...the very least." Spaw |
Subject: RE: US Natl Anthem: Other lyrics to tune? From: GUEST,guest Larry Poole Date: 06 Sep 16 - 05:54 PM Heres some other lyrics to the anthem I wrote last year, I like to think of them as an "intentional Mondegreen" alternative to sing at the next game. Scar Strangled Banter O staid cant obscene by the dumb surly right, Fatso rowdily seig heiled at the toilets lost cleaning, Whose fraud snipes and fright scars screw the powerless might, Odor ram farts we sqwatched, were so callously screaming? Dave Crocketts' red scare, the bums thirsting and stare, Bade groove with the whites that our flack would swell terror Jose does that scar strangled banter yet rave, O'er the brand of the freaks and the drone of the slave? |
Share Thread: |
Subject: | Help |
From: | |
Preview Automatic Linebreaks Make a link ("blue clicky") |