To Anacreon in Heav'n
Words by Ralph Tomlinson, Music by John Stafford Smith
1. 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,
And besides, I'll instruct you like me to entwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine!"
2. 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,
And there with good fellows, we'll learn to intwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus' Vine. |
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3. "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.
I'll trim the young dogs, for thus daring to twine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine." |
4. 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,
While, snug in their clubroom, they jovially twine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine." |
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5. 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:
And swear by Old Styx, that they long shall intwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine." |
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6. 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!
And long may the Sons of Anacreon intwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine." |
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Bardic Lore for
To Anacreon in Heav'n
This was the official song of the Anacreontic Society, a late-18th
century gentleman's club in England. The society was dedicated to
the memory of the Greek poet Anacreon, who lived circa 500 BCE. The
song tells of Anacreon's instruction of the club members, and the ensuing
chaos on Mount Olympus. All six verses were sung during the "Music and
the Muse" path taught by Willow and Crow at SpiralHeart WitchCamp. For some reason, people in the US tend to stand
up when this tune is played. |