Happy Fourth to you too!
Smithsonian Magazine (www.smithsonianmag.si.edu) had an interesting
piece this month on the composition of the SSB. Apparently the melody
was known to Francis Scott Key, the song of "a popular London
gentlemen's club, the Anacreonic Society, honoring an ancient Greek
poet who lyricized life's joys." The tune alone was popular, and had
several other songs set to it as well.
Donald.
> From: Laura.G@141.com (Laura Gharazeddine)
> Date: Tue, Jul 4 2000 15:28:23 GMT-0600
>
>
> Happy Fourth to you all.
>
> I was just watching a documentary about the history of the Star
> Spangled Banner. Very interesting-when they went through the story
> of Fort McHenry-it's really a very moving story and moment in our
> history. When you know the story, it really brings to life the words
> of the song-and makes them all the more poignant and dramatic.
>
> Too bad the melody is so difficult!
>
> Maybe instead of a movement to replace it entirely, there should
> just be new music composed for it-something that would keep to the
> spirit of the peice, but easier to sing without opera training!
>
> Anyway, Happy Fourth!
>
> Laura G.
|