Posted on 07/02/2005 3:16:10 PM PDT by CHARLITE
There’s probably no single piece of writing in this country that’s as controversial or as likely to lead to fist fights as the U.S. Constitution. It’s difficult to decide which portion of the document gets people riled up the most. At times, it almost seems to change on a daily basis. On Monday, it could be gun ownership, with folks like Michael Moore frothing at the mouth at the mere thought that a law-abiding citizen might own a weapon. You’d think Moore was planning to burgle your home the way he frets over the possibility you might actually be armed.
On Tuesday, it could be the pointy-headed crowd at the ACLU that’s in full throttle, demanding that illegal aliens are entitled to all the rights and privileges of American citizens, not to mention a chicken in every pot.
But, as a rule, if you’re really in the mood to see blood spilled, take advantage of your right to free speech by taking a position on the first amendment. For instance, there are those who argue there should be absolutely no limits on free speech, even when it comes to pornography, blasphemy or sedition. For all I know, they might even object to libel and slander laws, seeing them as infringements on the people’s inalienable right to lie their heads off. These same zealots would probably object to the injunction against screaming “Fire!” in a crowded theater. To me, such an interpretation of the amendment is not only insane, but also insulting to the fellows who hammered out the Constitution 230 years ago in Philadelphia. Whatever else Adams, Franklin, Jefferson and their 53 colleagues may have been, they were not lunatics.
Lately, I’ve been hearing news that Congress may pass a law making the burning of the flag illegal. Emotionally, as the son of Russian immigrants who came to this country in the hope of finding a better life, and discovered that reality for once exceeded even their wildest dreams, I can well understand the motivation. But I’m not sure I’d want to deny an American the right to burn a flag, so long as it’s not the one in front of my house, as I think his puny act of adolescent rebellion merely lets the rest of us know what a pitiful buffoon and pathetic ingrate he is.
Not being a constitutional scholar, I am naturally reluctant to become too embroiled in these matters. There is one thing, however, about which I have a strong opinion, and I find it odd that nobody else seems as incensed as I. I’m referring to the singing of our national anthem at public events.
Admittedly, “The Star-Spangled Banner” lacks a certain something, musically speaking. But over the years, singers ranging from Kate Smith to Richard Tucker have been able to do it justice, merely by singing it simply and sincerely. But at some point during the past ten years or so, certain female singers have decided that the only way to perform it was as if they were auditioning to provide orgasms for a porno soundtrack.
Maybe I’m being too harsh. Perhaps these songbirds don’t intend any disrespect to the anthem. Perhaps they simply don’t understand that patriotism means loving your country, not having sex with it.
About the Writer: Burt Prelutsky is a humorist, movie reviewer, writer for television series and movies, and author of the new book, "Conservatives Are From Mars, Liberals Are From San Francisco." His website is at http://burtprelutsky.com.
Burt receives e-mail at BurtPrelutsky@aol.com
Has this guy heard national anthems from the rest of the world? There are only a couple that I think match ours, musically speaking.
And the Canadian national anthem certainly isn't one of them.
That's just what he and his ilk are planning. It's just that they plan to use a tax statement, federal regulator's cease and desist order, and/or an eminent domain eviction notice, instead of a crowbar or lock pick.
FMCDH(BITS)
Doesn't the tune derive from a drinking song, "To Anacreon in Heaven"? That's a positive, in my book.
The anthem has some very haunting lines. I sometimes quote "Oh say, does that star spangled banner yet wave/o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?" when I'm feeling particularly ticked at the government or the citizenry.
The SSB was based on an English drinking song (lyrics below), which is why it is far more rousing than say, the Canadian or Japanese anthems.
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 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,
Chorus:
And besides I'll instruct you,
Like me, to intwine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."
II.
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,
Chorus:
And there with good fellows,
We'll learn to intwine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus' Vine.
III.
"The Yellow-Haired God
And his nine fusty Maids
From Helicon'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 its errand,
And dam'me I'll swing
The Ringleaders I warrant.
Chorus:
I'll trim the young dogs,
For thus daring to twine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."
IV.
Apollo rose up,
And said, "Pry'thee ne'er quarrel,
Good King of the Gods,
With My Vot'ries below:
Your Thunder is useless"--
Then showing his laurel,
Cry'd "Sic evitabile
Fulmen, you know!
Then over each head,
My laurels I'll spread,
So my sons from your Crackers
No mischief shall dread,
Chorus:
While, snug in their clubroom,
They jovially twine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."
V.
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:
Chorus:
And swear by Old Styx,
That they long shall intwine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."
VI.
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!
Chorus:
And long may the Sons
Of Anacreon intwine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."
You post great articles! I've been noticing that for a while. Just wanted to thank you.
It's not only the female songbirds who are guilty. It is a phenomena with most performers trying to *bring* their own rendition as if they were auditioning for the Gong Show.
More than the screeching of the lyrics what bothers me is the use of the national anthem as if it was some sort of *pep rally song* for events ranging from Diaper Derbies to Little League to major league sports. What next, playing the anthem before a movie, hot dog eating contest and all assorted activities?
IMHO the anthem should be played at dignified events/ceremonies of national significance, not at the beginning of the shift as a bunch of millionaires go to work.
.....and the very same to you, too, nothingnew!..........and HAPPYFOURTH to ALL FREEPERS ! !
Char :)
Thank you very much, Nea. I appreciate the recognition very deeply. Not blowing my own horn, but I work about 12 hrs. minimum doing this ...... and for our conservative cause, pure and simple.
Many thanks again!
Happy Fourth of July to you!
Char :)
This was done when I was a kid, into the early '60's. It is still done, at movie theaters on all U.S. military bases worldwide. I don't know if the national anthem is still played at sign-on and sign-off on radio and T.V. stations that are not 24-hour stations.
ANACREON IN HEAVEN-- Did y'all know this? (Good Jeopardy question)
Francis Scott Key used this English drinking song to set the meter of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
I
To Anacreon in Heaven, where he fat in full glee,
A few fons of Harmony fent a petition,
That He their Infpirer and Patron would be;
When this anfwer arrived from the Jolly Old Grecian
"Voice, Fiddle, and Flute,
"no longer be mute,
"I'll lend you my Name and infpire you to boot,
"And, befides, I'll infruct you like me to entwine
II
The news through OLYMPUS immediately flew;
When OLD THUNDER pretended to give himfelf Airs
"If thefe mortals are fuffer'd their Scheme to perfue,
"The Devil a Goddefs will ftay above the Stairs.
"Hark, already they cry,
"In tranfports of Joy,
"Away to the Sons of ANACREON we'll fly,
"And there, with good Fellows, we'll learn to entwine
"The Myrtle of VENUS with BUCCUS'S Vine.
III
"The YELLOW-HAIRED GOD and his nine fufty Maids
"From Helicon's Banks will incontinent flee,
"IDALIA will boaft but of tenantlefs Shades,
"And the bi-forked Hill a mere Desart will be
"My Thunder, no fear on't,
"Shall foon do it's Errand,
" and, dam'me! I'll fwinge the Ringleaders, I warrant,
"I'll trim the young Dogs, for thus daring to twine
"The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCUS'S Vine.
IV
APOLLO rose up; and faid, "Pr'ythee ne'er quarrel,
"Good King of the Gods, with my Vot'ries below:
"Your Thunder is ufelefs." - then, fhewing his Laurel,
Cry'd, "Sic evitabile fulmen, you know!
"then over each Head
"My Laurels I'll fpread;
"So my Sons from your Crackers no Mifchief fhall dread,
"Whilst fnug in their Club-Room, they jovially twine
"The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCUS'S Vine.
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched 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.
Oh, 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! Oh 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 washed out their foul footsteps' 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!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved 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!
My apologies. I should have read all the posts before posting. I didn't think anybody else would come up with it.
Great minds evidently think alike.
More info on Anacreon in Heaven:
he Anacreontic Society was a popular gentlemen's club in London, named in honor of Anacreon, a lyric poet of Greece who lived and wrote in the fifth century B.C.. The society's patron saint was Anacreon, the "convivial bard of Greece." The society's membership, one observer noted, was dedicated to "wit, harmony, and the god of wine." The lyrics of the Anacreontic Song, the first four words of which are "To Anacreon in Heaven ...." were written by Mr. Ralph Tomlinson, who had been president of the society.
The Tune
There does not seem to be a single composer of this tune, rather it was a collective effort by the members of the Anacreontic Society. The new society song, "To Anacreon in Heaven" required a new tune and thus all got together and worked on this project. John Stafford Smith (1750-1836), a court musician and member of the society, was probably the guiding force behind this endeavor and most likely is the person responsible for the tune as we know it today. As early as 1798 the tune of The Anacreontic Song appeared in American papers with various lyrics, among these was Robert Treat Paine's (1731-1814) popular "Adams and Liberty," perhaps the most prominent American song prior to "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Key and the Tune
As early as 1806 Francis Scott Key adapted the tune to an earlier poem he wrote entitled "When the Warrior Returns" in honor of an American naval victory over the Barbary pirates. Hence, there is no doubt that Key was well acquainted with the tune, when in, September 1814, he saw the flag over Fort McHenry "by the dawn's early light." Soon after the battle, the poem and tune were published, a reminder of the American victory.
Another comment about the "Anacreon melody"- I don't know what the author is talking about but from a singer's perspective (I am a classical singer and teacher of singing) it is a very good melody, perhaps a little challenging for the average singer, who does not know how to blend registers and sing in a wide range (an octave and a fifth, rather large for most untrained voices). This is why most pop singers sing this melody like crap. They belt the bottom, squeee the top pitches through a high larynx and ruin the whole thing. And they call that singing.
BUH.
Absolutely. Of course, the living, breathing WORST EVER was the horrifying rendition done by Rosanne Barr at the opening of a San Diego Padres game, but she's not the only one who has "mangled" our national anthem........and for all of you who have taken umbrage at Burt Prelutsky's apparent criticism of the musicality of the Star Spangled Banner, I conveyed my thoughts to him about that "writer's lapse" also! Burt is a good friend of mine, but I told him that he should stick to writing and stay away from the "music critic" business!
Thanks for your contribution to the thread, conservatrix!
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!,br>
Char :)
I wish they would sing the last verse more often..
"And this be our motto,'IN GOD IS OUR TRUST'".
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