So, I am just an anachronistic old fart, nu?

[Chuck Dye]

Stopped by my favorite drinking establishment on the way home from work.  As I enjoyed an imperial stout, the jazz/folk singer/guitarist announced he was going to play "an old English drinking song.  Why not, that's what this place is all about, isn't it?"  The song was To Anacreon In Heaven.  I stood.  I was the only person, of perhaps thirty, to do so, including a table full of Coasties.

Why, in this day and age, am I bothered enough to post this?

[Eleven Mike]

What's an anachreon and why stand? 

[RadioFreeSeaLab]

The Star Spangled Banner happens to be to the tune of To Anacreon In Heaven.

[Manedwolf]

I always find it amusing that Francis Scott Key cribbed a drinking song to be our national anthem.

[allmons]

I sure hope the lyrics are easier to sing than Mr Key's words! While the imagery and thoughts are very uplifting, it is hard to make those lyrics fit that tune!!!

[Matthew Carberry]

Key had to work at it, but fortunately for us he was able to keep in all the high notes.

[Chuck Dye]

EH, HEM!

Allow me to rephrase:

The national anthem was played.  A room full of adults from 21 to 70+ years of age, almost certainly U.S. citizens all, kept their seats.  Included were a half dozen or more U.S. Coast Guard personnel.  I was disappointed.  Am I wrong to have been disappointed?

[Matthew Carberry]

Now you've introduced a context change.

One stands up for the Anthem, one does not necessarily stand up for its twin, "To Anacreon". 

If it was introduced by the player by that title it was in fact not the Anthem and thus could be listened to while seated.

Contextually the name, in this case, is the thing.

[Brad Johnson]

I always find it amusing that Francis Scott Key cribbed a drinking song to be our national anthem.

shhhhh.. nobody tell him about the tune for "My Country, Tis of Thee..."

Brad

[RocketMan]

I always find it amusing that Francis Scott Key cribbed a drinking song to be our national anthem.

shhhhh.. nobody tell him about the tune for "My Country, Tis of Thee..."

Brad

Reminds me about what some Aussies said to me about the Queen once during a liberty "Down Under".  Interesting language used, and quite the opposite of what we had been taught to expect before leaving the ship.

[wmenorr67]

Until this thread I never knew that the tune was to a drinking song.  But sure why not.?