The anthem
Music is another element that helped citizens learn about these
new concepts. Specifically, the  Olympic
Anthem illustrates the merging of the ancient past and the
national present. The description of Olympic Games of 1896
that follows demonstrates clearly the role played by music
in the ceremonies organized in the Games:
"... all the bands assembled in the middle of the track together with a great number of musicians with string instruments and many singers. The direction is undertaken by Mr Spyridon Samaras, a celebrated Greek composer, who was commissioned by the Council of the Olympic Games to write the music of the hymn of the Games while Costis Palamas, the famous Greek poet, has written the lyrics.
The poem is as follows:
Ancient immortal spirit, unsullied father of
that which is beautiful, great and true,
Descend,  make thyself known and shine hero
on this earth and below these skies
witness of Thy Glory
Illuminate the endeavour of the noble contests
in the running race, the wrestling and the throwing.
Place a wreath of evergreen branch,
creating the body as of iron and worthy.
Vales, mountains and oceans shine with Thee
Like unto a great temple of white and porphyry.
To which all people hasten to this temple
to worship Thee, Oh ancient immortal Spirit.
There was something exquisitely ancient-like in that hymn, sung in the open air, under the glorious sunshine, in the presence of thousands of spectators overwhelmed with pious emotion."
[Beck, Ch. (ed.), Oi Olympiakoi Agones, 776 BC - 1896 (The Olympic Games, 776 BC - 1896), Athens 1896].
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