Sobriety test? In that case I want to join this...

[MarkB]

Sobriety test? In that case I want to join this society.

Here's a hint.

"In all probability some drinking did occur at Society meetings, but the primary purpose of the Society (and its song) was to promote an interest in music. This, however, did not keep the song from being associated with alcohol, as it was commonly used as a sobriety test: If you could sing a stanza of the notoriously difficult melody and stay on key, you were sober enough for another round."

Thinking on what a member said about were do those who have reached 10,000 post and more have to, I think that this would be great place for them.

No prizes are offered.

MarkB

[fearfaoin]

I'm not following this post at all.
Have you been imbibing, Mark?

[Lambchop]

Are we supposed to guess what song it is?

[Nanohedron]

Sobriety test? In that case I want to join this society.

Here's a hint.

"In all probability some drinking did occur at Society meetings, but the primary purpose of the Society (and its song) was to promote an interest in music. This, however, did not keep the song from being associated with alcohol, as it was commonly used as a sobriety test: If you could sing a stanza of the notoriously difficult melody and stay on key, you were sober enough for another round."

Thinking on what a member said about were do those who have reached 10,000 post and more have to, I think that this would be great place for them.

No prizes are offered.

MarkB

Nano does not sing. He croaks. Badly. No special club for Nano.

No prizes, either??? Fuggeddabouddit. *snort*

[Denny]

Anyone remember that sci-fi movie from the seventies when upon turning 30 one participated in a big ceremony, floated up and up, and was killed? Maybe it's like that.

To Anacreon in Heav'n,
Where he sat in full glee,
A few Sons of Harmony
Sent a petition
That he their Inspirer
And Patron would be;
When this answer arrived
From the Jolly Old Grecian:
"Voice, Fiddle, and Flute,
No longer be mute,
I'll lend you my name
And inspire you to boot,

[Nanohedron]

Here's the whole thing. Best sung in Elmer Fudd's voice, I think:

1
To ANACREON in Heav'n, where he sat in full Glee,
A few Sons of Harmony sent a Petition,
That He their Inspirer and Patron wou'd be;
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.

[Denny]

Chorus:
[Fudd]
And besides I'll instruct you,
Like me, to intwine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."
[/Fudd]

[Nanohedron]

Chorus:
[Fudd]
And besides I'll instruct you,
Like me, to intwine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."
[/Fudd]

"Aand bee-siiides I'w instwuct yooo,
Wike meee, to intwiiiine
Da Myw-tow of Veeeeeeenus
Wit Baaachus's Viiiiiiiiiiiine."

- Like that?

[Denny]

Chorus:
[Fudd]
And besides I'll instruct you,
Like me, to intwine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."
[/Fudd]

"Aand bee-siiides I'w instwuct yooo,
Wike meee, to intwiiiine
Da Myw-tow of Veeeeeeenus
Wit Baaachus's Viiiiiiiiiiiine."

- Like that?

wiiite!

[Lambchop]

I think I may need assistance with the tune . . . can't get past the first line.

[Nanohedron]

It's the same chune as "The Star Spangled Banner". The lyrics of the original seem unwieldy, don't you think?

[Joseph E. Smith]

It's the same chune as "The Star Spangled Banner". The lyrics of the original seem unwieldy, don't you think?

Yes, and I have always wondered how a bawdy drinking song became the US national anthem... of course, reviewing the statistical charts for DUIs in the past 70 years, I guess I am not too surprised.

[Lambchop]

It's the same chune as "The Star Spangled Banner". The lyrics of the original seem unwieldy, don't you think?

Yes, that's the problem! There are too many words in the original.