Flair and the National Anthem

[Mokat76]

"The way it's written" is to the tune originally used for this song:
* * * * * To ANACREON in Heav'n, where he sat in full * * * * * A few Sons of Harmony sent a * * * * * That He their Inspirer and Patron wou'd
* * * * * When this Answer arriv'd from the JOLLY OLD GRECIAN
* * * * * * * * * * * * "Voice, Fiddle, and Flute,
* * * * * * * * * * * * "No longer be mute,
* * * ** "I'll lend you my Name and inspire you to boot,
* * * ** "And, besides, I'll instruct you like me, to intwine
* * * ** "The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS's Vine.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2
* * * * * The news through OLYMPUS immediately flew;
* * * * * When OLD THUNDER pretended to give himself Airs_
* * * * * If these Mortals are suffer'd their Scheme to pursue,
* * * * * The Devil a Goddess will stay above Stairs.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Hark! already they cry,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * "In Transports of Joy
* * * ** "Away to the Sons of ANACREON we'll fly,
* * * ** "And there, with good Fellows, we'll learn to intwine
* * * ** "The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS'S Vine.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 3
* * ** * "The YELLOW-HAIR'D GOD and his nine fusty Maids
* * ** * "From HELICON'S Banks will incontinent flee,
* * ** * "IDALIA will boast but of tenantless Shades,
* * ** * "And the bi-forked Hill a mere Desart will be
* * * * * * * * * * * "My Thunder, no fear on't,
* * * * * * * * * * * "Shall soon do it's Errand,
* * * ** "And, dam'me! I'll swinge the Ringleaders I warrant,
* * * ** "I'll trim the young Dogs, for thus daring to twine
* * * ** "The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS'S Vine.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 4
* * * * * APOLLO rose up; and said, "Pr'ythee ne'er quarrel,
* * * ** "Good King of the Gods with my Vot'ries below:
* * * ** "Your Thunder is useless_then, shewing his Laurel,
* * * * * Cry'd. "Sic evitabile fulmen, you know!
* * * * * * * * * * * "Then over each Head
* * * * * * * * * * * "My Laurels I'll spread
* * * ** "So my Sons from your Crackers no Mischief shall dread,
* * * ** "Whilst snug in their Club-Room, they Jovially twine
* * * ** "The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS'S Vine.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 5
* * * * * Next MOMUS got up, with his risible Phiz,
* * * * * And swore with APOLLO he'd cheerfull join_
* * * ** "The full Tide of Harmony still shall be his,
* * * ** "But the Song, and the Catch, & the Laugh shall bemine
* * * * * * * * * ** "Then, JOVE, be not jealous
* * * * * * * * * * * Of these honest Fellows,
* * * * * Cry'd JOVE, "We relent, since the Truth you now tell us;
* * * ** "And swear, by OLD STYX, that they long shall entwine
* * * ** "The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS'S Vine.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 6
* * * * * Ye Sons of ANACREON, then, join Hand in Hand;
* * * * * Preserve Unanimity, Friendship, and Love!
* * * ** 'Tis your's to support what's so happily plann'd;
* * * * * You've the Sanction of Gods, and the FIAT of JOVE.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * While thus we agree
* * * * * * * * * * * * * Our Toast let it be.
* * * * * May our Club flourish happy, united and free!
* * * * * And long may the Sons of ANACREON intwine
* * * * * The Myrtle of VENUS with BACCHUS'S Vine.

That's The Anacreontic Song - an 18th century British tune frequently sung in pubs. So it's okay for our national anthem to be set to the tune of a drinking song, but not okay for singers to deviate from that tune?

Source http://www.potw.org/archive/potw234.html

I am well aware, as are most Americans, that the melody derives from an old British drinking song. We know this because people think it's OK to use that to insult our National Anthem. I don't care. It's still our National Anthem. sing like it was written or don't sing it all.

 

[DisneyDiva8401]

I didn't find it emotional at all. There were pauses where there shouldn't be, and notes stretched out that are not supposed to be stretched out. It wasn't unique in a good way to me.

I think to me it is the same as if the person playing TAPS had decided to add a bunch of flourishes that didn't belong. Some music needs to be presented the way it is written. It shows respect. There is a time and place and music to which you can add your personality. The National Anthem is not it.

This. Totally agree.

 

[carrie1626]

Am I the only one bothered when the singer adds all sorts of "flair" when they sing the National Anthem? I'm watching the start of tonight's Nascar race, and the singer had to add her own touch to the song. Holding notes that are never held, adding swoops and dips to the music that isn't there. It wasn't good.

Why can't people sing it the way it is written? Ugh. Am I the only one this bothers?

I'm with you! I HATE flair during the National Anthem. It is NOT the song to add a personal style. The only exception I except is during the very last words changing to a pitch to which the singer can do and sound well.