To Anacreon in Heaven

To Anacreon in Heaven (An Anakreon im Himmel) oder Anacreontic Song (Anakreontisches Lied) ist ein englisches Lied. Auf der Melodie des Liedes beruht die US-amerikanische Nationalhymne.

Bedeutung

Das Lied war im London des 18. Jahrhunderts die Hymne der Anacreontic Society. Die Melodie von John Stafford Smith (1750–1836) ist – bis auf geringfügige Änderungen – identisch mit derjenigen der Nationalhymne der Vereinigten Staaten. Die Hymne wurde von 1772 bis 1792 als Trinklied gesungen. Ihr Inhalt ist eine Huldigung des Dichters Anakreon und seines baccantischen Stils.

Text

I. 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, Refrain And besides I'll instruct you, Like me, to intwine The Myrtle of Venus With Bacchus' Vine." II. 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, Refrain And there with good fellows, We'll learn to intwine The Myrtle of Venus With Bacchus' Vine.'

III. 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. Refrain I'll trim the young dogs, For thus daring to twine The Myrtle of Venus With Bacchus' Vine." IV. 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, Refrain While, snug in their clubroom, They jovially twine The Myrtle of Venus With Bacchus' Vine."

V. 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: Refrain And swear by Old Styx, That they long shall intwine The Myrtle of Venus With Bacchus' Vine." VI. 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! Chorus And long may the Sons Of Anacreon intwine The Myrtle of Venus With Bacchus' Vine."

Literatur

• Mark Argent (Herausgeber): Recollections of R.J.S. Stevens: An Organist in Georgian London (Music in Georgian and Victorian Society), Southern Illinois University Press, Juli 1992, ISBN 0-8093-1790-7

Einige Textausgaben:

• The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle. Volume L. For the Year MDCCLXXX [1780]. By Sylvanus Urban, Gent. London, 1780, S. 224 als Anacreontic Song (Google, Google)
• Calliope: Or, the Musical Miscellany. A Select Collection of the Most Approved English, Scots, and Irish Songs, set to Music. London, 1788, S. 5ff. als To Anacreon in Heaven (Google)
• The Vocal Library; Being the Largest Collection of English, Scottish, and Irish Songs, Ever Printed in a Single Volume. Selected from the Best Authors, Between the Age of Shakspeare, Jonson, and Cowley, and that of Dibdin, Wolcot, and Moorf. London, 1824, S. 16 als To Anacreon in Heaven (Google)
• Davidson's Universal Melodist, consisting of the Music and Words of Popular, Standard, and Original Songs, &c. Arranged so as to be equally adapted for the Sight-Singer, the Performer on the Flute, Cornopean, Accordion, Violin, or other Treble Instrument. Vol. I. London, 1853, S. 300 als To Anacreon in Heaven (vgl. auch S. 236 Anacreon, they say, was a jolly old Blade) (Google)

Weblinks

Commons: To Anacreon in Heaven – Sammlung von Bildern, Videos und Audiodateien

• Zur Geschichte des Liedes (englisch)
• Über die Melodie (mit Aufnahme)
• Das Lied auf YouTube