Today, 4 July 2026, is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. Seems like a good occasion to remember that the tune to our famously difficult-to-sing national anthem was associated with a humorous 18th century song playfully inviting Zeus, Apollo, Venus, and Bacchus to bless a gentleman's club dedicated to the ancient Greek lyric poet, Anacreon.
Today, may Venus bless us with friendship and harmony, Bacchus with renewal, Jupiter with a focus on justice, and Apollo with respect for knowledge and truth.
Notes and sources follow after the lyrics.
Composed by John Stafford Smith | Lyrics by Ralph Tomlinson
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 arriv'd 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 suffer'd 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 there, with good Fellows, we'll learn to intwine
"The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS'S Vine.
"The YELLOW-HAIR'D 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 Desart will be
"My Thunder, no fear on't,
"Shall soon do it's Errand,
"And, dam'me! I'll swinge 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, "Pr'ythee ne'er quarrel,
"Good King of the Gods with my Vot'ries below:
"Your Thunder is useless then, shewing 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,
"Whilst snug in their Club-Room, 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 cheerfull join_
"The full Tide of Harmony still shall be his,
"But the Song, and the Catch, & the Laugh shall bemine
"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 entwine
"The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS'S Vine.
Ye Sons of ANACREON, then, join Hand in Hand;
Preserve Unanimity, Friendship, and Love!
'Tis your's 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.
Anacreon - ancient Greek lyric poet (circa 573 – 495 BCE) famous for religious hymns, as well as drinking songs and bawdy love songs - truly a fitting patreon for the Anacreontic Society! He was well-regarded in his lifetime and, afterwards, included in the list of Nine Lyric Poets worthy of study. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacreon
the Devil - an exclamation of frustration or surprise
will stay above stairs - join in the festivities
The Yellow-Haired God and his nine fusty Maids - Apollo and the Muses
Helicon - home of the Muses
Idalia - cult center of Aphrodite in Cyprus
the bi-forked Hill: Mount Parnassus, sacred to Apollo and Dionysus
sic evitable fulmen - “this is protection from lightning”
young dogs - high-spirited young men
Momus - the Greek god of satire and mockery, son of the goddess Nyx. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momus
risable Phiz: comedic facial expression
catch - apprehension of evil-doers
swear by Old Styx - make an unbreakable vow
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Anacreontic_Song
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Anacreontic_Song
https://www.potw.org/archive/potw234.html
https://www.dianetaraz.com/notes/more_rev_notes.htm
Audio of the song sung accompanied by lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IPLFLH3BHU
Featured image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Anacreontic_Petition_and_Song_(BM_1935,0522.1.74).jpg
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