ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 4, 1996 TAG: 9607050121
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: HOLIDAY
The words were written by Francis Scott Key, but the melody was taken from an English drinking song, ``To Anacreon in Heaven.'' It was the official song of a popular gentlemen's club in London whose patron saint was Anacreon, ``the convivial bard of Greece.'' The club was dedicated to ``wit, harmony and the god of wine.''
"To Anacreon in Heaven'' was composed by John Stafford Smith, a member of the gentlemen's club. Stafford also composed the music to the British national anthem, ``God Save The Queen,'' which, incidently, is the same melody used in the United States for the song, ``My Country 'Tis of Thee.''
As early as 1798, the song appeared in various American newspapers under various lyrics. Among them was Robert Treat Paine's ``Adams and Liberty,'' which was perhaps the most popular national song prior to ``The Star-Spangled Banner.''
As early as 1806, Francis Scott Key adapted the melody to an earlier poem he wrote, ``When The Warrior Returns,'' in honor of the American naval victory over the Barbary pirates from the coast of North Africa.
Francis Scott Key was born in western Maryland in 1779 and became a prominent lawyer in Washington, D.C. During the War of 1812, he traveled to Baltimore to negotiate the release of a close friend who had been captured by the British. While there, he witnessed the British bombing of Fort McHenry, which served as the inspiration for the ``Star-Spangled Banner.''
After 25 hours of bombardment, the British gave up their attack. Fort McHenry was still standing and its flag was still flying. Today, the flag is hanging in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History in Washington. Fort McHenry is now a national monument.
The words to the Star-Spangled Banner were first printed and distributed as a handbill under the title, ``Defense of Fort McHenry.'' Later, the words were set to music, the title changed, and it became a popular patriotic song. It wasn't officially adopted as the country's national anthem, however, until 1931.
And yes, there are four verses to the song, although typically only the first verse is ever performed at the beginning of sporting contests and other events.
Source: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: color.by CNB