Toasting the Rebellion - Essay Example

Toasting the Rebellion Raising toasts and singing songs have been a part of the American celebration since time immemorial. The American Revolution has seen celebrations in the form of toast and songs as early as 1766. The citizens of Philadelphia announced the celebration after the account of the stamp act was repealed. Drinks and music and songs flowed in the celebrations to mark the approval of the repealed stamp act. Years later, in 1783, Philadelphia was a witness to another path-breaking event; to honor the Continental Army.

These two events brought about a revolution in how America celebrates as a one whole family. In the eighteenth century, men were seen drinking socially, regularly and considered drinking as a part of healthy diet. For the women belonging to the elite class, drinking was limited to just the wine and the toast that was raised. Public consumption was seen as a taboo for the women. Taverns and coffeehouses were considered as the best places for the male guests to indulge in heavy drinking and exchange their ideas over drinks and music in the background.

The colonial Americans introduced a concept of drinking songs which they brought along with them from the musical heritage of Europe, Africa and India. This traditional folk music became so popular because it was very easy to compose and sing; anybody who had a knack for rhyming and satire can very well compose the lyrics and come up with hummable tune. A perfect example of acquired musical tradition is the song “Yankee Doodle” which actually has its origin in the British Army but it is supposed to be the American quintessential patriotic song for generations now.

America has been a witness to a series of event that brought about the revolution; The violent display of confrontation between the crowd and the British officials, the Riots that emerged due to the Stamp Act, the Boston Massacre, The Boston tea party are to name a few. These events saw the public supporting the cause carrying wine and punch bowls. With the elimination of the British Monarchy, the people celebrated with toasts and songs. Thus, toasts and songs have a deeper meaning and signify the independence of America from the British Empire.

The celebrations marked their political identify and proclaim themselves as the citizens of a new nation. Raising a toast and joining in the celebration with singing and drinking became a part of the political life of most politicians. A toast became a celebration of fellowship, unity and brotherhood. A toast with politically inappropriate or controversial content had the power to make or break this fellowship. If an offer to raise a toast or break into a song was declined by the drinker, the crowd or the onlookers would take an offence and the refusal was considered as an end to the fellowship or worse still, this passive act of refusal could be taken as an refusal to the values or opinions the crowd or the group stood for.

The best way to be accepted in the crowd is to enthusiastically take part in act of raising a toast and singing a song. The power of songs was used to subtly protest against unjust taxes levied by the parliament. This was the way chose to assert their rights. The song “The Liberty Song” was actually composed to boycott buying goods because the patriots thought that the parliament levied unnecessary taxes on them. Toasts and songs may sound as live entertainment but they have played a major role in bringing about a revolution.

The power of raising a toast or breaking into a song cannot be undermined as history has proved that the public, the political parties, the royal families have used these tools in an organized and well-structured manner to promote unity, encourage fellowship and provide welfare to all. They played an important role in overcoming regional and cultural differences and developing American as a powerful nation.