To Anacreon in Heaven facts for kids

To Anacreon in Heaven, also known as the Anacreontic Song, was originally composed by a British Mason Brother John Stafford Smith(1750-1836) of Inverness Lodge #4 in London and was, at one time, used by an Irish Masonic Orphans' Home as their song. Later it became a popular English drinking song for many years known as To Anacreon in Heaven. It is the official song of the Anacreontics, a club in London. It is about a Greek poet named Anacreon. Once popular in pubs and taverns, Francis Scott Key adopted the music for his ballad the Star Spangled Banner. Though this drinking song is not sung much anymore, the tune remains known to most Americans as their national anthem.

Images for kids

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  Portrait of John Stafford Smith, around 1820

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  Beginning of the Canon "O Remember" by John Stafford Smith. It "gain'd a Prize Medal" from the London Catch Club in 1773.

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  First page of the song as published in The Vocal Enchantress (1783)

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  First known publication of the lyrics of "The Anacreontic Song", from The Vocal magazine, 1778. The reference to "Rowley's" was removed in later versions.

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  Detail from the first sheet music publication of "The Star Spangled Banner" (Thomas Carr, 1814). Note the F sharp in the melody.

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  A bust of Anacreon

See also

In Spanish: A Anacreonte en el cielo para niños