The Star Spangled Banner was a Drinking Song?!

Footnotes:
-written around 1770 as a drinking song
-First publically published in The Vocal Magazine in 1778 in London
-John Stafford Smith composed the music
-Ralph Tomlinson wrote the lyrics
-Written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key
-Francis Scott Key took the melody from “To Anacreon in Heaven” and his poem “Defence of Fort M'Henry” which borrowed some lyrics from his own song “When the Warrior Returns”
-Francis Scott Key’s “When the Warrior Returns” also used the melody from “To Anacreon in Heaven”
-Francis Scott Key wrote star spangled banner while a prisoner on a british ship
-The soon to be anthem was popularized by newspapers and made the official United states anthem in 1931 by President Herbert Hoover
The choosing of the nation anthem was spurred on by Ripley’s Believe it or Not. In 1929 they published a cartoon saying “America has no national anthem!” This cartoon actually pushed forward America to pick one. The cartoon goes on to make fun of the states for being a “dry country” yet are using an old drinking song as a national anthem.

To Anacreon in Heaven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydAIdVKv84g

When the Warrior Returns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtnCzIN0P2Q

Source:
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/07/the-melody-for-the-star-spangled-banner-was-taken-from-a-drinking-song/

To Anacreon in Heaven full lyrics:
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 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,
And besides I’ll instruct you like me, to intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.”
The news through Olympus immediately flew;
When Old Thunder pretended to give himself airs.
If these Mortals are suffered 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 besides I’ll instruct you like me, to intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.
The Yellow-Haired God and his nine lusty Maids,
From Helion’s banks will incontinent flee,
Idalia will boast but of tenantless Shades,
And the bi-forked hill a mere desert will be.
My Thunder no fear on’t,
Shall soon do it’s errand,
And damme I’ll swing the Ringleaders I warrant,
I’ll trim the young dogs, for thus daring to twine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.”
Apollo rose up and said, “Pry’thee ne’er quarrel,
Good sing of the Gods with my Vot’ries below:
Your Thunder is useless” — then showing his laurel,
Cry’d “Sic evitable fulmen” you know!
“Then over each head
My laurels I’ll spread
So my sons from your Crackers no mischief shall dread,
While snug in their clubroom, they jovially twine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.’
Next Momus got up with his risible Phiz
And swore with Apollo he’d cheerfully join —
‘The full tide of Harmony still shall be his,
But the Song, and the Catch, and the Laugh,
shall be mine.
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 intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.”
Ye Sons of Anacreon then join hand in hand;
Preserve Unanimity, Friendship, and Love!
‘Tis yours 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.