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On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key penned the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry", later known as "The Star-Spangled Banner" while witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry from a ship in Baltimore harbor. From the article:
"On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, relentlessly pounding the American fort for 25 hours. The bombardment, known as the Battle of Baltimore, came only weeks after the British had attacked Washington, D.C., burning the Capitol, the Treasury and the President’s house. It was another chapter in the ongoing War of 1812.
A week earlier, Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old American lawyer, had boarded the flagship of the British fleet on the Chesapeake Bay in hopes of persuading the British to release a friend who had recently been arrested. Key’s tactics were successful, but because he and his companions had gained knowledge of the impending attack on Baltimore, the British did not let them go. They allowed the Americans to return to their own vessel but continued guarding them. Under their scrutiny, Key watched on September 13 as the barrage of Fort McHenry began eight miles away.
“It seemed as though mother earth had opened and was vomiting shot and shell in a sheet of fire and brimstone,” Key wrote later. But when darkness arrived, Key saw only red erupting in the night sky. Given the scale of the attack, he was certain the British would win. The hours passed slowly, but in the clearing smoke of “the dawn’s early light” on September 14, he saw the American flag—not the British Union Jack—flying over the fort, announcing an American victory.
Key put his thoughts on paper while still on board the ship, setting his words to the tune of a popular English song. His brother-in-law, commander of a militia at Fort McHenry, read Key’s work and had it distributed under the name “Defence of Fort M’Henry.” The Baltimore Patriot newspaper soon printed it, and within weeks, Key’s poem, now called “The Star-Spangled Banner,” appeared in print across the country, immortalizing his words—and forever naming the flag it celebrated."
"On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, relentlessly pounding the American fort for 25 hours. The bombardment, known as the Battle of Baltimore, came only weeks after the British had attacked Washington, D.C., burning the Capitol, the Treasury and the President’s house. It was another chapter in the ongoing War of 1812.
A week earlier, Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old American lawyer, had boarded the flagship of the British fleet on the Chesapeake Bay in hopes of persuading the British to release a friend who had recently been arrested. Key’s tactics were successful, but because he and his companions had gained knowledge of the impending attack on Baltimore, the British did not let them go. They allowed the Americans to return to their own vessel but continued guarding them. Under their scrutiny, Key watched on September 13 as the barrage of Fort McHenry began eight miles away.
“It seemed as though mother earth had opened and was vomiting shot and shell in a sheet of fire and brimstone,” Key wrote later. But when darkness arrived, Key saw only red erupting in the night sky. Given the scale of the attack, he was certain the British would win. The hours passed slowly, but in the clearing smoke of “the dawn’s early light” on September 14, he saw the American flag—not the British Union Jack—flying over the fort, announcing an American victory.
Key put his thoughts on paper while still on board the ship, setting his words to the tune of a popular English song. His brother-in-law, commander of a militia at Fort McHenry, read Key’s work and had it distributed under the name “Defence of Fort M’Henry.” The Baltimore Patriot newspaper soon printed it, and within weeks, Key’s poem, now called “The Star-Spangled Banner,” appeared in print across the country, immortalizing his words—and forever naming the flag it celebrated."
The Story Behind the Star Spangled Banner
Posted from smithsonianmag.com
American History
Military History
American Flag
National Anthem
Poetry
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 6
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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 s...
Thanks for reminding us my friend SGT (Join to see) that on September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key penned the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry", later known as "The Star-Spangled Banner" while witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry from a ship in Baltimore harbor.
The poem would eventually be sung to the tune of drinking song "The Anacreon Song"
Image: The actual flag that flew over Fort McHenry on the morning of September 14, 1814, helping to inspire the Star Spangled Banner
Background on the tune and the name from todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/07/the-melody-for-the-star-spangled-banner-was-taken-from-a-drinking-song/
"The melody that would be borrowed for the Star Spangled Banner was extremely popular and well known at the time the future U.S. national anthem was penned. It is known to have been used for at least 84 popular songs in the United States alone, including Adams and Liberty – The Boston Patriotic Song and the subsequent tune Jefferson and Liberty, written after Jefferson was elected President.
The original song that used the melody was To Anacreon in Heaven, written sometime between 1760 and the late 1770s, expounding on the virtues of wine. The song itself was first publicly published in The Vocal Magazine in 1778 in London. The music was composed by John Stafford Smith and the lyrics are thought to have been written by Ralph Tomlinson, president of the Anacreon Society, which was a popular gentleman’s club in London whose membership were dedicated to “wit, harmony, and the god of wine”. The society chose the famed Greek poet Anacreon as their “patron saint” as he was particularly known for composing odes to merrymaking, women, and wine- among the Anacreon Society’s favorite things.
The full lyrics to "To Anacreon in Heaven" are:
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 arrived 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.”
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,
Away to the Sons of Anacreon we’ll fly.
And besides I’ll instruct you like me, to intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.
The Yellow-Haired God and his nine lusty Maids,
From Helion’s banks will incontinent flee,
Idalia will boast but of tenantless Shades,
And the bi-forked hill a mere desert will be.
My Thunder no fear on’t,
Shall soon do it’s errand,
And damme I’ll swing 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, “Pry’thee ne’er quarrel,
Good sing of the Gods with my Vot’ries below:
Your Thunder is useless” — then showing his laurel,
Cry’d “Sic evitable fulmen” you know!
“Then over each head
My laurels I’ll spread
So my sons from your Crackers no mischief shall dread,
While snug in their clubroom, they jovially twine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.’
Next Momus got up with his risible Phiz
And swore with Apollo he’d cheerfully join —
‘The full tide of Harmony still shall be his,
But the Song, and the Catch, and the Laugh,
shall be mine.
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 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.
The tune to this little ditty became wildly popular and was adapted to a variety of other lyrics, as was the practice at the time. The lyrics that ultimately became the most historic to use the tune were those written by attorney Francis Scott Key while he sat on a British ship at a distance from the Battle of Fort McHenry that took place on September 13-14, 1814 during the War of 1812.
Key was a temporary prisoner aboard a British ship, along with his companion Colonel John Stuart Skinner, as they’d been sent there to try to secure the release of a few Americans, including an American doctor being held by the British, Dr. William Beanes. During dinner with Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane, Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn, and Major General Robert Ross, Key and Skinner plead the case for the release of the prisoners, which they eventually got the British to do in the case of the elderly Dr. Beanes. However, Key and Skinner were held for the duration of the battle as they’d had occasion to observe the strength and apparent strategy of the British forces. So they were not to be released until after the battle was over, held on a ship about four miles from the battle front for their safety.
Key wrote some of the lyrics during his stay on the British prisoner ship, after seeing the “flag was still there”. The rest he finished up at the Indian Queen Hotel when he was released in Baltimore two days after the battle. The lyrics were first published in the Baltimore Patriot and The American newspapers on September 20, 1814 under the title Defence of Fort McHenry. It was quickly picked up by fifteen other newspapers in the United States and its popularity grew from there.
It wouldn’t be published under the name “Star Spangled Banner” until Thomas Carr started selling the lyrics and sheet music together at his music shop in Baltimore under that title. As for when it became the United States’ official national anthem, that occurred on March 3, 1931 when President Herbert Hoover signed a Congressional resolution into law to this effect. Before this happened, Hail, Columbia (“Columbia” being an alternate name for America particularly common in the 18th century) and My Country, ‘Tis of Thee were often more popularly used in that role."
The Anacreon Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydAIdVKv84g
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon
The poem would eventually be sung to the tune of drinking song "The Anacreon Song"
Image: The actual flag that flew over Fort McHenry on the morning of September 14, 1814, helping to inspire the Star Spangled Banner
Background on the tune and the name from todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/07/the-melody-for-the-star-spangled-banner-was-taken-from-a-drinking-song/
"The melody that would be borrowed for the Star Spangled Banner was extremely popular and well known at the time the future U.S. national anthem was penned. It is known to have been used for at least 84 popular songs in the United States alone, including Adams and Liberty – The Boston Patriotic Song and the subsequent tune Jefferson and Liberty, written after Jefferson was elected President.
The original song that used the melody was To Anacreon in Heaven, written sometime between 1760 and the late 1770s, expounding on the virtues of wine. The song itself was first publicly published in The Vocal Magazine in 1778 in London. The music was composed by John Stafford Smith and the lyrics are thought to have been written by Ralph Tomlinson, president of the Anacreon Society, which was a popular gentleman’s club in London whose membership were dedicated to “wit, harmony, and the god of wine”. The society chose the famed Greek poet Anacreon as their “patron saint” as he was particularly known for composing odes to merrymaking, women, and wine- among the Anacreon Society’s favorite things.
The full lyrics to "To Anacreon in Heaven" are:
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 arrived 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.”
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,
Away to the Sons of Anacreon we’ll fly.
And besides I’ll instruct you like me, to intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.
The Yellow-Haired God and his nine lusty Maids,
From Helion’s banks will incontinent flee,
Idalia will boast but of tenantless Shades,
And the bi-forked hill a mere desert will be.
My Thunder no fear on’t,
Shall soon do it’s errand,
And damme I’ll swing 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, “Pry’thee ne’er quarrel,
Good sing of the Gods with my Vot’ries below:
Your Thunder is useless” — then showing his laurel,
Cry’d “Sic evitable fulmen” you know!
“Then over each head
My laurels I’ll spread
So my sons from your Crackers no mischief shall dread,
While snug in their clubroom, they jovially twine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.’
Next Momus got up with his risible Phiz
And swore with Apollo he’d cheerfully join —
‘The full tide of Harmony still shall be his,
But the Song, and the Catch, and the Laugh,
shall be mine.
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 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.
The tune to this little ditty became wildly popular and was adapted to a variety of other lyrics, as was the practice at the time. The lyrics that ultimately became the most historic to use the tune were those written by attorney Francis Scott Key while he sat on a British ship at a distance from the Battle of Fort McHenry that took place on September 13-14, 1814 during the War of 1812.
Key was a temporary prisoner aboard a British ship, along with his companion Colonel John Stuart Skinner, as they’d been sent there to try to secure the release of a few Americans, including an American doctor being held by the British, Dr. William Beanes. During dinner with Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane, Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn, and Major General Robert Ross, Key and Skinner plead the case for the release of the prisoners, which they eventually got the British to do in the case of the elderly Dr. Beanes. However, Key and Skinner were held for the duration of the battle as they’d had occasion to observe the strength and apparent strategy of the British forces. So they were not to be released until after the battle was over, held on a ship about four miles from the battle front for their safety.
Key wrote some of the lyrics during his stay on the British prisoner ship, after seeing the “flag was still there”. The rest he finished up at the Indian Queen Hotel when he was released in Baltimore two days after the battle. The lyrics were first published in the Baltimore Patriot and The American newspapers on September 20, 1814 under the title Defence of Fort McHenry. It was quickly picked up by fifteen other newspapers in the United States and its popularity grew from there.
It wouldn’t be published under the name “Star Spangled Banner” until Thomas Carr started selling the lyrics and sheet music together at his music shop in Baltimore under that title. As for when it became the United States’ official national anthem, that occurred on March 3, 1931 when President Herbert Hoover signed a Congressional resolution into law to this effect. Before this happened, Hail, Columbia (“Columbia” being an alternate name for America particularly common in the 18th century) and My Country, ‘Tis of Thee were often more popularly used in that role."
The Anacreon Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydAIdVKv84g
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon
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SGT Michael Thorin
Thank you for the tag LTC Stephen F.. As always, your responses always allow for a greater understanding and view that I look forward to reading.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs,SPC Douglas Bolton,SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
COL Mikel J. Burroughs,SPC Douglas Bolton,SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Great add on, knew it was a song of the times, but not a drinking song. Perhaps that explains playing the anthem at sporting events :-)
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SGT (Join to see), I absolutely love reading this story every time it is posted. Thank you for posting it, it needs to be read as often as possible. Great share brother! SPC Douglas Bolton,COL Mikel J. Burroughs,LTC Stephen F.,SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL,SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth,SFC (Join to see),PVT Mark Brown,Lt Col Charlie Brown,SPC Christopher Smith,SGT Elizabeth Scheck,SGT M Higgins,Cpl Scott McCarroll,Brig Gen Jim Jaeger,Maj Marty Hogan,TSgt Joe C.,SP5 Mark Kuzinski
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT Michael Thorin Glad to hear from you, Michael! I hope everything is going well for you!
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SGT Michael Thorin
The health continues to a slow and steady decline SGT (Join to see), but the lower it goes, the stronger I get.
“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
“You will never be a failure if you never surrender!”
Wish I could take credit for both of those.
“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
“You will never be a failure if you never surrender!”
Wish I could take credit for both of those.
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