| Author |
Message |
    
lseltzer
Citizen
Username: Lseltzer
Post Number: 1601
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 8:39 am: |     |
On this June 14th I'd like to visit one of my favorite topics, the origins of the tune used for The Star Spangled Banner. You may know that Francis Scott Key wrote a poem and put it to a known tune. That tune was The Anacreontic Song ("To Anacreon in Heaven").
As you can see form the lyrics, this is a drinking song, basically the 18th century version of "Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll". |
lseltzer
Citizen
Username: Lseltzer
Post Number: 1603
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 9:51 am: | |
It seems to me that if there is already a long American tradition of writing our national anthem to this sort of tune then we need to update it.
I propose a contest to write a new national anthem to the tune of, for example, the Dead's Casey Jones or maybe One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer. |
Nohero
Citizen
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 1720
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 12:54 pm: | |
I can't think of anything more destructive, divisive, and just plain dismaying as the prospect of a nationwide contest for a new national anthem. Good lord, we'll have to deal with the people who nominate a Lee Greenwood or Toby Keith song. And if you think those classical music fans will give up without a fight, you have to remember that those folks are pretty tough.
No, I think that one thing that all Americans can agree on is the fact that they think they know a better alternative to "The Star Spangled Banner". Let's keep using a song we can all agree on (sort of).
Besides, I like singing the part about "The land of the free and the home of the brave ... |
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1445
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 3:12 pm: | |
The octave change in middle of the "Star-Spangled Banner" is a tough nut to crack, though. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 969
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 3:35 pm: | |
Makes me proud to be an instrumentalist. |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 4745
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 4:08 pm: | |
PLAY BALL!!!! |
lseltzer
Citizen
Username: Lseltzer
Post Number: 1604
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 5:25 pm: | |
I remember there was some talk 10 or 15 years ago about making America The Beautiful the national anthem because the Star Spangled Banner is such a dreadful tune.
But I think we need a new one. Something easy to sing, like a Frank Zappa tune. She's just like a penguin in bondage.... |
Ed May
Citizen
Username: Edmay
Post Number: 1558
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 9:24 pm: | |
Marilyn and I were married on Flag Day - 23 years ago.
Ed May |
ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 91
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 10:05 am: | |
Yo, Ed, my spouse and I were married 22 years ago on Flag Day - Happy Anniversary! |
gozerbrown
Citizen
Username: Gozerbrown
Post Number: 162
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 2:25 pm: | |
How cool! I was born on Flag Day!
Remember when it used to be a holiday? (No mail/banks.) |
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