Anacreontic Song by Ralph Tomlison

I made a recording of the 'Star Spangled Banner' after the horrific invasion of the US Capitol building buy a bunch of dangerous nutters in 2021:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BsGT-abxqo

Today in the #Filkhaven chat I learnt of the rather hilarious/ironic origins of the melody.

Here are the lyrics:
https://www.potw.org/archive/potw234.html

And some details of the men's wine and music club from 1766:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacreontic_Society

Importantly, it is the composer of the music, John Stafford Smith, that links this song to what became the US national anthem in 1931:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stafford_Smith

Someone more versed in Roman paganism may be able to explain what the significance of entwining myrtle with grape vines is. Possibly a connection to Bona Dea?
https://journeyingtothegoddess.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/goddess-bona-dea/

Purchase my music:
Bandcamp: https://ozfolklounge.bandcamp.com/

#Pagan #Roman #filk #bonadea