Mixed Lyrics Across the Centuries Quiz

Answer: Henry VIII of England

"Pastime with Good Company" is an English Renaissance song written around 1513 by King Henry VIII of England, who composed it shortly after his accession to the throne. The folk-style ballad reflects the youthful king's love for hunting, singing, and feasting with his friends from court.

It also defends these amusements as noble pursuits. One of its most memorable lines, "For idleness is chief mistress of vices all," highlights his belief that engaging in joyful, active entertainment prevents a person from slipping into sin and bad habits. Rather ironic, is it not?

Answer: To Celia

"Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes" is an English song adapted from the poem "To Celia", written by the English playwright and poet Ben Jonson in 1616. The lyric originates from Jonson's collection "The Forest" and was set to its well-known traditional melody in the late 18th century.

It is a romantic tribute where the singer asks their beloved to express devotion through a simple gaze rather than drinking wine. Its famous opening lines ("Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine") poetically compare a lover's loving look to a drink so divine that it surpasses even the nectar of Jove.

Answer: Aria

"Dido's Lament" ("When I am laid in earth") is a famous aria from the opera "Dido and Aeneas", composed by Henry Purcell with lyrics by Nahum Tate in 1689. The song captures the tragic climax of the opera as Dido, Queen of Carthage, prepares to die of a broken heart after her beloved Aeneas departs for Italy.

One of its most memorable and poignant lyrics of "Remember me, remember me, but ah! forget my fate", is sung over a descending ground bass, creating one of the most hauntingly beautiful expressions of grief in baroque music.

Answer: The Liberty Song

"The Liberty Song" is a patriotic American anthem written in 1768 by John Dickinson and set to the tune of William Boyce's popular British naval song "Heart of Oak". Published in local Boston newspapers, it served as one of the earliest colonial protest songs against British taxation, calling for unity and resistance against oppressive laws.

Part of the lyrics include the rallying words of "Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all, By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall; In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed, For heaven approves of each generous deed". The song popularized the iconic American motto of unity in the face of adversity.

Answer: Robert Burns

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish folk song adapted in 1788 by the poet Robert Burns from older traditional ballads and tunes. The song celebrates old friendships, fond memories, and the shared experiences of times gone by. Its iconic opening lines of "Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?" have made it very popular in ushering in the New Year around the world.

Though most commonly sung in Scots, its phrase roughly translates to "for old time's sake", inviting people to raise a glass to past times ("guid-willie waught") and enduring camaraderie. Over the centuries, its timeless melody has become a fixture at graduations, funerals, and midnight celebrations across the globe.

Answer: Hard Times Come Again No More

"Hard Times Come Again No More" is a poignant American parlor song written and composed by Stephen Foster in 1854. Published just prior to the Panic of 1857, it serves as a soulful plea for empathy toward the poor and downhearted, asking those who are fortunate to consider the struggles of others.

It has a memorable and haunting refrain of "'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary, Hard Times, Hard Times, come again no more". It also includes one of Foster's favorite images of a maiden in the lyrics with "There's a pale weeping maiden who toils her life away, With a worn heart whose better days are o'er: Though her voice would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day, Oh! Hard times come again no more."

Answer: False

"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is an American patriotic hymn written in November 1861 by abolitionist writer Julia Ward Howe and published in "The Atlantic Monthly" in 1862. Set to the music of the popular Union marching song "John Brown's Body", Howe composed the lyrics during the early days of the Civil War after visiting a Union army camp near Washington, D.C.

As a staunch Union supporter and abolitionist, Howe's song frames the conflict as a righteous crusade against slavery, featuring the powerful opening line: "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Answer: Johnny

"When Johnny Comes Marching Home" is an American patriotic song written in 1863 by Irish-American bandleader Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore during the Civil War. Published under the pseudonym Louis Lambert, the song expresses the longing and anticipation of families awaiting the safe return of loved ones fighting on the front lines.

Its upbeat, celebratory chorus of "When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah! Hurrah!" made it a rallying anthem for both Union and Confederate soldiers, as well as for future military conflicts.

Answer: George Cohan

"Over There" is an American patriotic song written in 1917 by legendary Broadway composer and performer George M. Cohan. Composed just after the United States officially entered World War I, the upbeat march served as a powerful rallying call designed to boost morale and encourage young men to enlist in the military.

Its famous, driving refrain of "Over there, over there, Send the word, send the word over there, That the Yanks are coming" became the defining musical anthem of the American war effort in Europe.

Answer: This Land Is Your Land

"This Land Is Your Land" is one of America's most famous folk songs, written in 1940 by singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie in response to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America." Originally titled "God Blessed America for Me," Guthrie composed the track to present a more realistic and inclusive portrait of the country during the Great Depression.

Its classic chorus features one of the most recognizable lyrics in American music: "This land is your land, this land is my land, From California to the New York island."