The tune, which was once associated with revelry and merriment, was transformed into a solemn and stirring anthem that captures the spirit of a nation. The words of ‘To Anacreon in Heaven,’ the song that Francis Scott Key borrowed for the melody of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ is a sly 1700’s paean to drinking and sex. Moreover, the fact that the melody of the "Star-Spangled Banner" was borrowed from an old English drinking song is a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the evolution of music. The song's lyrics, which tell the story of the American flag surviving a battle, have inspired generations of Americans, and have become synonymous with the country's values of freedom and resilience. Before 1931, the US National Anthem was 'My Country Tis Of Thee. On March 3, 1931, by an act of Congress, the "Star-Spangled Banner" was officially recognized as the national anthem of the United States, and it has since become an enduring symbol of American patriotism. The poem was sung to the music of a popular British drinking song called 'To Anacreon in Heaven' (also known as 'The Anacreontic Song'), which has been attributed to John Stafford Smith. Navy began using it in its flag ceremonies culminating in it being declared the official song of the entire US military by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. The poem that formed the basis of the lyrics was penned in 1814 during the War of 1812 by Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old lawyer who was sent to negotiate with the British in an attempt to gain the release of an American prisoner they were holding. During the civil war, the Star-Spangled Banner became a symbol of national pride and hope for the divided nation. This song is the national anthem of the United States.
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