Apparently it all started in a “gentleman’s club.” So, as you might expect, there is some controversy involved. Wait. What was that? You think I’m talking about a strip joint?! Far be it from me to stoop to such levels. No! I’m talking about the gentleman’s club where the Star Spangled Banner got its start.
So, get your mind on the Star Spangled Banner and out of the club.
As you almost certainly would NOT expect, the gentleman’s club I’m referencing existed from 1766 to 1792. And it was the kind of club that was popular in London, England way back then. They called it The Anacreontic Society. And wouldn’t you know (probably not) that it was dedicated to “the ancient Greek poet Anacreon.” But that was only because of Anacreon’s well-known “drinking songs and odes to love.”
(Side note: that’s a far cry from The Inklings and their musings.)
Anyway…
The Anacreontic Society “consisted mainly of wealthy men of high social rank.” And they met each month “on Wednesday evenings to combine musical appreciation with eating and drinking.” Plus, according to what I read about it, “each meeting began at half past seven with a lengthy concert, featuring the best performers in London, who were made honorary members of the Society.”
And one member, John Stafford Smith, wrote a song called “To Anacreon in Heaven.”
It was such a popular song that Francis Scott Key, wrote a poem to capture the mood of the U.S. victory at Fort McHenry during the war of 1812 fought against the British. And the words were set to the tune of “To Anacreon in Heaven.” So, there you have it. From gentleman’s club to national anthem.
And I used the inspiration of a beautiful picture to go from anthem to acclamation:
Complex Morning Anthem
Oh say, can you see…
From the coconut tree,
The pastels and the blues…
Changing shape, changing hues?
And, serenely, the skies
Reach your soul through your eyes,
And the ripples reflect
The Divine Intellect.
So, the sun still shines on
Whether it’s dusk or dawn,
A glimpse of the love
From the Heavens above.
Oh say, can you behold this
Indifferently and not be awed
By complexity, design…
The creation of God?
© 2022
Before you go, share this link with everybody you know. Tell ’em to jump on the The FunderFlash AND get some music and other fun stuff, for Fa-Ree.
Stay tuned,
