We are all familiar with the stirring lyrics of "The Star Spangled Banner" written by Francis Scott Key, but who wrote the song's tune?

McGruff

#19392. [May 26 02 2:06 PM] McGruff writes: Francis Scott Key's original poem was titled 'Defence of Fort M'Henry.' It was printed in a newspaper for the first time in the Baltimore Patriot on September 20th,1814, then in papers as far away as Georgia and New Hampshire. To the verses was added a note 'Tune: Anacreon in Heaven.' In October a Baltimore actor sang Key's new song in a public performance and called it 'The Star-Spangled Banner'. http://www.usflag.org/francis.scott.key.html The original tune was 'To Anacreon in Heaven,' an English drinking song written by John Stafford Smith with words by Ralph Tomlinson, Esq. According to tradition it was first 'sung at the Crown Anchor Tavern in the Strand, circa 1780.' Tomlinson was president of the Anacreontic Society, a gentlemen's club popular with upscale London boozers. Anacreon (563-478 B.C.) was a Greek poet known for his songs of wine and women. http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_011.html Oct 07 04, 6:27 AM

Arpeggionist

The US is one of the few countries in the world whose national anthem's melody was not written by one of its own citizens. The only other that I could think of is Israel, whose national anthem's words were also not written by an Israeli. Oct 07 04, 10:32 AM

CariM0952

Ok, you've got the answer, but do you know the words of the original song? To Anacreon, In Heav'n To Anacreon, in heav'n, where he sat in full glee A few sons of harmony sent a petition That he our inspirer and patron would be When the answer arrived from the jolly old Grecian: Voice, fiddle and flute, no longer be mute I'll lend ye my name and inspire ye to boot And besides I'll instruct ye like me to entwine The myrtles of Venus with Bacchus' vine. Oct 07 04, 7:50 PM