Welcome to this episode of Inebriated Wisdom. I am your host Donnie and the topic for today’s show will be the origins of the Star Spangled Banner. It was on a rainy September morning in the Baltimore Harbor when the British began their bombardment of Fort McHenry. The date was September 13, 1814 and the British were commencing an epic and relentless artillery pounding that would last for 25 hours. Francis Scott Key had the privilege of watching this barrage from the overwatch of the British fleet. Boarding their flagship a week before to ask for the release of a friend and being successful in his task, had unfortunately made him privy to information of the attack several days before. He had been allowed to return to his ship, but the British had escorted them along the way as not to allow their plans to become known. Watching the battle ensue, Key was witness to what would become a great moment in American History, and one that would give birth to our national anthem today. From the Smithsonian website, http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-story-behind-the-star-spangled-banner-149220970/?no-ist, I quote the following: "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. Thus he put his thoughts to paper and setting them to a popular English song, history was written. Originally it was named “Defence of Fort M,Henry,” it was written to follow the melody of “To Anacreon in Heaven.” -sidenote- One of the myths associated with this event was the assumed piles of dead bodies holding the flag upright. Although this makes a wonderfully crafted emotion stirring story, most of the research I have been reading for this episode states that this simply didn’t happen. The American fort actually took very little casualties, with numbers ranging on various reports from a handful to around 25. No women or children were present there, only armed men with a grudge against the British and the determination to not allow defeat on their watch. - Back to the song, The song in question was a popular drinking song and was first published in 1778 and became the theme song, if you will of the Anacreonitic Society. The Anacreontic Society was a popular gentlemen's club of amateur musicians in London founded in the mid-18th century. These barristers, doctors, and other professional men named their club after the Greek court poet Anacreon, who lived in the 6th century B.C. and whose poems, "anacreontics", were used to entertain patrons in Teos and Athens. Dubbed "the convivial bard of Greece", Anacreon's songs often celebrated women, wine, and entertaining. While the society's membership, one observer noted, was dedicated to "wit, harmony, and the god of wine," their primary goal (beyond companionship and talk) was to promote an interest in music. The society presented regular concerts of music, and included among their guests such important musicians as Joseph Haydn, who was the special guest at their concert in January 1791. There is also evidence of an Anacreontic Society having existed at St Andrews University in the late 18th Century in much the same vein as the Anacreontic Society of London. However, due to the club's informal nature, detailed accounts of the group are sparse. The song is credited to a John Stafford Smith in the year 1775. Key had also used this melody in another of his works, an 1805 song entitled “When the Warrior Returns from the Battle Afar.” So was this melody actually the tune Key had running through his mind? Probably so, but you need to hear the similarities for yourself… I’ve included the words in the show notes if you are interested, but here is the clip. The Anacreontic Song To Anacreon in Heaven, where he sat in full glee, A few sons of harmony sent a petition, That he their inspirer and patron would 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. –Words by Ralph Tomlinson, music by John Stafford Smith, about 1775. < To Anacreaon in Heaven> Definitely some similarities there and an interesting story to go along with it. So in conclusion, I leave you with our National Anthem of today… This episode,releasing on July 4th, is dedicated to the brave men and women who put their country first before their own needs, to allow the many to live free at the expense of the few. It is hard to imagine that a mere 240 years ago, men from 13 colonies established in the “New World’ would claim their independence from England and the freedom to govern themselves. Because of their ideas and dedication, this great nation I live in today was founded and with that foundation came the cost of blood and lives. I can humbly say I am grateful and thankful for the opportunities were are given because of their vision. Have a great 4th of July America, and remember that freedom isn’t free, it always comes at a price. < Star Spangled Banner> The Star-Spangled Banner O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there, O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream, ’Tis the star-spangled banner - O long may it wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion A home and a Country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation! Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto - “In God is our trust,” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.