BAWDY TRUTH ABOUT THE `STAR SPANGLED BANNER'

BAWDY TRUTH ABOUT THE `STAR SPANGLED BANNER'

POTOMAC, Md. (Wireless Flash) -- America's national anthem has a sexy secret past. According to musicologist Douglas Jimerson, the melody to "The Star Spangled Banner" was originally a racy drinking song bellowed by beer-guzzling tavern patrons. The tune was a tribute to drinking and lovemaking entitled "To Anacreon In Heaven" and included suggestive lyrics like: "I'll instruct you to entwine/ The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine." The bawdy song reportedly was a favorite of George Washington, who would sing it at his local watering hole along with Thomas Jefferson. Jimerson has put together an album of President Washington's favorite tunes entitled "George Washington: Portrait in Song" (Ameri-Music Inc.)