To Anacreon in heaven - Smith, John Stafford

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"Written for use as the club song by the Anacreontic Society. Admired at the time, the song's popularity continued into the twenty-first century in forms as diverse as a national anthem (The United States of America) and thence as a novelty instrumental by James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix. The Anacreontic Club existed c.1766 - 1792 and the song (written before 1773) was an essential part of each meeting's ceremony. The current version, published by Stafford Smith in 1799, appears to be a worked-up version of his original. Although contemporary accounts mention high musical capabilities, and although club practice was sometimes to employ professional singers in all but the chorus, this arrangement seems unfeasibly complex for a piece habitually performed in conviviality. Conversely, sparser arrangements, the template for the future national anthem, appear too simplistic to be the club song for a society of competent singers. An authentic realisation of the song probably lies somewhere between published versions."

⌛ Period → Classical ◈ Genre → Glees ♬ Voicing → TTB ¶ Language → English

Parts 3

Instruments A cappella

Pages 11

CPDL # 63620

Editor Christopher Shaw

Posted 2021-03-22

License Personal

¶Lyrics / Text

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 aid and inspire you, to boot; And besides I'll instruct you, like me to entwine 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 entwine 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-forkèd hill a mere desert will be. My thunder, no fear on't, shall soon do its errand, And soundly 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: "Prithee ne'er quarrel, Good king of the gods, with my vot'ries below, Your thunder is useless", then shewing his laurel, Cried: "Sic evitabile fulmen", you know! Then over each head, my laurels I'll spread, So my sons from your crackers no mischief shall dread; While snug in their club-room they jovially 'twine The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's wine". 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". Cried 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 yours to supp