BS: Anthems-are-us

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Sep 01 - 08:19 AM

Here's the Afghanistan National Anthem introduced in 1974. I've got an idea the Taliban don't use it though, not the kind of ideas they go for. Pity. The sentiments are pretty good, more especially in the second verse - "We want peace and brotherhood between the peoples of the world":

Become hot, become more hot,
You, the holy sun.
O sun of freedom,
O sun of good fortune.
We through the storm
Have come to the end of the road.
We have also traversed the paths of darkness,
Also the way of light.
The red road of victory,
The pure path of brotherhood.

Our revolutionary homeland
Is now in the hands of the workers.
The inheritance of lions
Now belongs to the peasants.
The age of tyranny has passed,
The turn of the labourers has come.
We want peace and brotherhood
Between the peoples of the world.
We demand more freedom
For all who toil.
We want bread for them,
We want houses and clothes.

This comes from this site, which aims to give the tunes of all national anthems, with the text and a translation, and a picture of the national flag. But I'm not sure how up to date it is - these things keep getting changed.

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: DMcG
Date: 22 Sep 01 - 07:22 AM

Nobody seems to have mentioned that the second and later verses of the Britsh (English? UK?) National Anthem are so embarassing that no-one ever sings them. And the grammar of the first verse is hardly a great example for the kids ...

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 22 Sep 01 - 01:45 AM

Of course, there's the old version of "Oh, Canada," which was sung there when I lived in Toronto in the early 1970's. They ran out of lyrics and sang the phrase, "..we stand on guard..." five times within the first verse and chorus!
I understand that it has been updated with new lyrics to address that problem, but folks had a lot of sport in making fun of the old one.

Genie

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: GUEST,Brian
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 08:25 AM

About twenty years ago, while travelling round France I met an old Frenchman who remembered the troops coming back from the trenches singing the British National Anthem. He asked us to sing it for him, so we obliged. He looked puzzled. It wasn't the anthem he remembered. So we asked him how he thought it should go. For over sixty years, he'd thought was the British National Anthem was 'It's a long was to Tipperary'. Now there's a thought! It was a shame to have to disillusion him.

God bless him, I hope wherever he is now, there's someone there to sing 'Tipperary' for him.

Brian

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Mikey joe
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 07:20 AM

Has anyone heard the revolting drivel - Irelands Call.It is sung before Irish Rugby Internationals. The North and The Republic play together as Ireland. Recently Phil Coulter was commisioned to compose an anthem for the IRFU and came up with this pile o shite.

IRELAND'S CALL
Come the day And come the hour Come the power and the glory We have come to answer Our country's call... From the four proud provinces of Ireland
(chorus)
Ireland, Ireland Together standing tall Shoulder to shoulder We'll answer Ireland's call.
From the mighty Glens of Antrim From the rugged hills of Galway From the walls of Limerick And Dublin Bay From the four proud provinces of Ireland
(chorus)
Hearts of steel And heads unbowing Vowing never to be broken We will fight, until We can fight no more... For the four proud provinces of Ireland.
(chorus)

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: allie kiwi
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 11:23 PM

uh, forget my silly question about the guest thing... done it *blush*

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: GUEST,allie kiwi
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 11:00 PM

LMAO

I've definitely come to appreciate this site since I found it yesterday. (BTW how do I get rid of 'guest' in my name??)

My favourite national anthems have to be 'A Soldiers Song' and 'The Star Spangled Banner'. perhaps it is because I can sing them? I laugh everytime I hear 'Advance Australia fair (although after the swimming at the last olympics I heard it far too often). go to any school in Australia and you'll hear the kiddies innocently singing 'Australians all are ostriches' instead of 'Australians let us all rejoice...' Which should be kept as the official version?

At the Commonwealth Games a few times back the tape deck or whatever broke down at the boxing aren and some kind gentleman saing 'Danny boy' for the victorious Northern Ireland competitor... it sounded fantastic.

But I give my vote for 'Your state's name here.'

Allie who has hideous proofreading skills

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 10:13 PM

Jeri, What a great idea!

Genie

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Jeri
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 09:41 PM

I think someone should write a generic national anthem, sort of like Lou & Peter Berryman's "Your States Name Here."

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Donuel
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 09:10 PM

How can you beat Stars and Stripes? America the Beautiful is prettily pastoral , Walzing Maltilda is like a We'll Meet Again but there is nothing that compares with the pathos and propoganda of "Arise ye prisoners of starvation..." This anthem has such a powerful orchestration. To hear the Russian anthem now is like hearing an orchestra tune up.

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 08:52 PM

I must admit to more than a passing fancy for the old Soviet Anthem. As for the Italian one ? Does it have an ending ? There is a site on the Net specialising in Anthems in both vocal and instrumentsl format. These can be downloaded and then burned onto a CD. Great fun. I intend using some of them as a "Music Round" in a quiz.
Annraoi

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: GUEST,Adolfo
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 08:05 AM

Interesting thread. I just thought you might like to know that we the Spanish are the only people in the world who whistle their tune as our National Anthem has remained without words to it for more than 25 years. We all wonder what to sing your anthem feels like. I've recently been to Wales and people there have grown extraordinarily fond of this song Yma o Hyd as a modern anthem. Some also say their new national song should be Men of Harlech. The same about the Irish? (Foggy Dew, Danny Boy...). Has anyone mentioned the former Soviet anthem? Delicious music. And...yes: sweet days when I used to stand up only when Gaudeamus Igitur was played.

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 12:02 AM

Hey, folks,
The Star Spangled Banner does not have a huge range -- about an octave and a half. It's just hard to sing when done in unison by people with varying vocal registers. [I personally have more vocal trouble with "Spanish Eyes."]

There is another thread related to this. See "America, The Beautiful.

BTW, how come nobody mentions "Stars And Stripes Forever?" It's my favorite march ( and I do a mean rendition of the whole piece on the kasoo, if I do say so, myself).

Here are the main lyrics:

"Hoorah for the flag of the free,
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.

Let despots remember the day
When our fathers, with mighty endeavor,
Proclaimed, as they marched through the fray,
That by their right and by their might she waves forever!"

Perhaps the lyrics could be updated to be a little less militaristic at the end, but I love the tune!

Genie

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: The Walrus
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 05:33 AM

How about one of the "Pomp and Circumstances" Marches (No.4?) "Then All Men Shall Be Free" - It has one charicteristic of most National Anthems.... I can't find anyone who knows more than one or two line (me included)

Walrus

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 04:08 AM

Bassen,
"Ja, Vi Elsker Dette Landet" is especially beautiful in Norwegian.
Genie

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Mar 01 - 11:19 PM

Amos, you got a really perverse mind Bro.......that's why I like ya'!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Amos
Date: 09 Mar 01 - 10:54 PM

I think the natiional sense of humor would be greatly advanced if we adopted "Good Old Rebel Soljer" as our national anthem. But it isn't really musshhhy enough. I just love yelling out that last line:

"An' I WON'T be reconstructed
An' I DO not tgive a DAMN!"

On the other hand, we could ride into the White House on "Candle In the Wind" or "Dream" or even "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". That would be tending toward national honesty and cut out the war mongering. We could have a special one reserved for times and particpants of war, something based on football cheers. But for peace time, maybe "Gaudeamus Igitur" or even "We are poor little sheep who have gone astray". That would stimulate the economy, too -- their'd be a Maury's in every town across the nation!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Mar 01 - 10:05 PM

THANKS A LOT MA FAZOO!!! REALLY GREAT!!! BUT WHY ARE YOU YELLING???

................and what are you smoking anyway?............can I have some?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 09 Mar 01 - 09:48 PM

I'D BE HAPPIER IF WE'D GET RID OF ALL THESE NATIONAL ANTHEMS AND JUST MAKE UP A TERRAN ANTHEM. IS THAT LIKELY TO HAPPEN? NO,BY SAGAN, NOT UNTIL WE DISCOVER INTELLIGENT LIFE ELSEWHERE IN THE MULTIVERSE AND NEED A SNAPPY SONG TO KEEP OUR PECKERS UP FOR THE FIRST INTERGALAGTIC WAR.

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Wotcha
Date: 20 Nov 99 - 11:08 AM

You'll need a pint of Scrumpy (Apple Jack) after hearing this treasure!

Cheers, Brian

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Nov 99 - 11:02 AM

Dear Wots,

I eat only shellfish, most cans are no longer tin, and I don't plow anything except for turning under the occasional flower bed. I think you may have a good anthem here, but my question is, do you think I could sit down after about 3/8ths of it is played? Will the peanut guy sell me peanuts after that point?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Wotcha
Date: 20 Nov 99 - 10:51 AM

While in Cornwall, I picked up a neat Cornish Anthem -- couldn't find it in the DT -- a celebration of fishermen, miners, and farmers ...

A few changes here and there, and you have an anthem for all of the preceding nations! Everyone eats fish, eats from a tin can, and ploughs the land.

BAZ, wot's the title??

Cheers, Brian

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: kendall
Date: 19 Nov 99 - 06:51 PM

I think Ian Robb could do a good job of writing an anthem for England, he did it with "Lady Di"

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Little Dorrit
Date: 19 Nov 99 - 06:21 PM

inspired choice McGrath

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Nov 99 - 05:55 PM

That's it - House of Lords - Iolanthe - Gilbert and Sullivan - Pirates of Penzance.

There's the answer:
He is an Englkishman
For he himself has said it
And it's greatly to his credit
That he is an Englishman

For he might have been a Roosian
A French or Turk or Proosian
Or perhaps Italian
But in spite of all temptations
to belong to other nations
He remains an Englishman!

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Little Dorrit
Date: 19 Nov 99 - 03:45 PM

Blackcatz: God save the queen is invariably sung at international sporting events except occassionally at Rugby union matches where Land of Hope and Glory has been sung. England always retain the National Anthem whereas Scotland Northern Ireland and Wales sing their individual anthems -I have absolutely no idea why there is no definitive English anthem. since I firmly believe that having demolished the House of Lords by the removal of 600 plus hereditary peers- that the Royal Family's days are well and truly numbered (about time too)-we should give serious thought to a replacement.

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Nov 99 - 11:42 AM

Oh Gervase, I didn't realise you had such a soft spot for 'The International', I know quite a lot of the words, next time, we'll do it together....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: gervase
Date: 19 Nov 99 - 11:29 AM

I've always had a soft spot for the Internationale. I realised the Labour Party had reached rock bottom when I tried to gee up a session at one of the Celtic nights at conference in Brighton in St. Tony's first year as leader and not one bugger knew the words. Mind you, no-one knew Union Miners either. Ho hum. Perhaps the best "hairs up on the back of the neck" anthem is the ANC song, Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika. I can't hear that without getting terribly blubbery. So why the blue blazes there's a move to ditch it in favour of some miscegenated amalgam of an Afrikaaner's dirge and a Xhosa hymn I have no idea. Too "political", I suppose in these days of reconciliation. Sorry - end of rant.

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: John Hindsill
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 08:10 PM

For the USA anthem---America The Beautiful.
Alernately---This Land Is Your Land

I am not Canadian, but I really like "O' Canada."

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Mbo
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 04:51 PM

You know, my home state of Pennsylvania is the only state without an anthem? A few years ago I tried to write on for it. Ok, go ahead and laugh, but I put lyrics to the J.F. Sousa classic "The Liberty Bell" It sounds really corny now that I look at the lyrics. If anyone wants to see it, I'll be happy to post it for some laughs!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: kendall
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 04:43 PM

Oh I dunno Spaw, I kinda like.."Lift the steins to dear old Maine"..etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Bert
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 04:28 PM

Your daughter just p'd on your lap?

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 04:22 PM

Only the major ones, like the Rugby World Cup, and then only when it is one British team playing another part of the world. For England v Scotland they would play the National anthem, followed by Swing low, sweet chariot and "Floor o'Scootlan'" The welsh get 'Land of my Fathers' which they consider their national anthem and is far older than any of the other British songs.

Well, I think that's what they do.p

The p is from my daughter who is sitting on my lap as we type.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Blackcat2
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 03:04 PM

On Waltzing Martilda: the folk msic ensemble I'm in sings it and enjoys it, but for some reason our leader has us perform it each month at the local homeless shelter at which our church cooks and serves. I still don't know why - you'd think a song about a homeless person who dies wouldn't be what the men want to hear while eating dinner. . .

Anthems - to me intrumentals would be the best - them no one would feel compelled to sing them, there wouldn't be any religious (or lack of) references, etc.

Question for the English, Scottish, Welsh, N. Ireland, etc.: Is God Save the Queen sung prior to all sporting events?

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Penny S.
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 11:03 AM

If we're getting local, I believe Sussex has, or had, a fat pink pig, with the motto "wunt be druv", though I think there's a bit of Hampshire which claims it, too. This spirit can be so ingrained that you can't force a Sussex native to do something that they were just going to do anyway before you ordered them to do it.

Penny

PS Oh, and there is, of course, "Sussex born and Sussex bred, strong in the arm and weak in the head" but everyone seems to want that one! Why? PS

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 09:50 AM

I just can't get into anthems. I'll check out some of the ones here but I've been watching Olympic coverage for years and I think they all bite. The comment above re: flags, anthems, etc. is, to me, quite correct. But if you need to have an anthem, as apparently most still do, it needs to be something people like to sing, can sing, and makes them feel good. I'm a lousy singer and the Banana is just ridiculous to attempt. Personally, I only sing the last two words---Play Ball. And damn if I don't hate it when you Canadjuns are in a ball game. By the time we dispense with the anthems, I'm out of Hot Dog money and three players have been traded. Not to mention the fact that the peanut guy wouldn't sell me any nuts while this concert was going on.

It would be nice if the songs for countries and states and the like were fun to sing and made you happy. I'd just as soon see them go away though. And... I would also like to see Alma Maters be loaded into the Howitzer and blasted to bullshit heaven too. Talk about things that suck the valves out of a small block Chevy......I went to the only college I know that has the verses to the Alma Mater written in the relative minor of the chorus. Nothing like singing something in a minor key to make you feel good about the school!!! It probably didn't help that we had a week long orientation where we sang all three verses and three choruses three times or more a day. Keericed!!! I still remember the whole thing...and I hate it.

Why is it so necessary to have a national, state, provincial, county, or whatever, song anyway? We have here in the US carried this crappola to the "enth degree." We all have a state motto, flag, song (I think Tennessee is up to 5 now including "Rocky Top"), flower, bird, tree, color, grass, drink, food, insect, snake, rock, soil......Hey if those last ones seem like a joke, they're NOT!!! In Ohio we voted the "Black Racer" as the state snake although there was a grassroots movement to have it be the current governor.

And Meebo, its tough to insult anyone on this thread, believe me. With that in mind, I want you to know that my "register" blows hot air up from the furnace in more of an alto than a baritone. Perhaps a different blower would make the Banana sound better to me. I dunno...

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: bassen
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 09:11 AM

whoops, that should read Leadbelly/Paul Mason Howard, sorry.

bassen

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: bassen
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 08:49 AM

Since none of the other norwegians have posted to this thread, I'll add a little northern european skew to the contents.

I grew up with the Star Spangled Banner as my anthem, then I moved to Norway at the age of 17, so I had to learn an anthem (why do I keep wanting to type anathema?) called "Ja, vi elsker", "Yes, we love", not bloodthirsty or particularly pompous and very little deity/ies (only in the 3rd verse which mostly never gets sung). The first verse goes like this in my rough translation:

Yes we love this country
As it rises rugged and weatherbeaten
From the sea with its thousands of homes
Love it and think of
Our fathers and mothers
And the saga night that sends
Dreams to our earth

Not pompous, but I'm open to any suggestions as to what constitutes a "saga night"...we sure don't know.

The first few bars of the melody are identical with "Deck the halls" up to the second syllable of "holly". Ja, vi elsker goes up again from there, instead of descending into the falalalalas...Singing the anthem was forbidden during the German occupation; people sang it spontaneously and endlessly on May 8 1945 when the Germans surrendered. I'm definitely no nationalist, but when the anthem is played, I think of my father who fought the Germans in 1940 and was arrested by the Gestapo later on for hiding jewish orphans, my uncles and cousins who were merchant mariners in the north Atlantic convoys, and I am respectful.

I think that whatever power an anthem has is derived from individual associations and in that way is no different from any other song. It's just that, given the function of anthems, you hear them alot more often than, say Ella Speed or Barbry Allen, an whatever small virtue they may have as songs gets worn out. Personally, I'd much rather hear (and sing) Ella Speed than any national anthem.

Rick, I guess this belongs in that "songs that make you drop everything thread" but I'll say it here: my whole musical life took a radical left turn when I as a 14 year old surfer gremmie in So.Cal. heard Leadbelly/Paul H. Mason play Ella Speed...that song really changed my (musical) life...

bassen

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 06:10 AM

Did you know that 'Jerusalem' goes very nicely to the tune of 'Linden Lea', and vice versa, although William Barnes' words do lose a little something in the translation.

I've never found anything that goes nicely to God save the King.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: sophocleese
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 10:59 PM

"Bring me my bowl of cheeriooooos..."

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Mbo
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 10:54 PM

What do you all think about Sean Keane's "Song of Healing" as an anthem?

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 06:38 PM

"God Save The Queen" masquerades as a "British National Anthem" but anytime there's an international between England and Scotland or Wales it becomes clear it's not, because there really isn't any such thing as a British nation.

It's a rotten song anyway. The fact that half the countries in the globe use the same tune just demonstarates there's a lot of awful national anthems around.

"Jerusalem" would be perfect for an English national anthem, the words are great poetry, it doesn't insult anyone, it's not namby pamby, has a sense of purpose about it, and it's got a glorious tune for singing. And it's still about a mkind of revoluution.

Alternatively, "Speed the Plough" or the "British Grenadiers", with new words.

I've always thought "The Star Spangled Banner" is a great song, even when I've been rioting against the American giovernment. It's got a touching vulnerability about it, if played and sung right. It's a song from an America that was relatively small and weak, and losing a war against a mighty imperial power. But there's a lot to say for going back to "Yankee Doodle" which I always thought was the American National Anthem when I was growing up.

The only National Anthem that I've ever known people to stand up for in a folk session is "The Soldiers Song."

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Llanfair
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 06:05 PM

I love singing "Jerusalem". Specially when driving around the hills. A very inspiring anthem, and it doesn't mention the royal family. Hwyl, Bron.

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Penny S.
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 05:43 PM

Liz, I totally agree on I vow to thee - but not because it's icky! That first verse promises to the country what is firstly God's and then family's and friends', and without question! The second only yearns for heaven because it is like England.

It is a snare.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 05:33 PM

Mbo, I knew there was a reason to put that little discy thing in the box.... But just work out how many actually sing their song to the tune of God save the king - including you lot the other side of the pond. Maybe we should all have the same tune and sing our own words....

Personally, I tend not to recognise anthems when played and just keep right on sitting down. Can't understand why you have to stand to listen to a bad soprano wobble on for 20 mins in 4 different keys to a song that no one wants to hear. And please don't anyone suggest 'I vow to thee my country', the tune (Thaxted if you prefer the original folk version, Jupiter if you like Holst) is syrupy, sacchariny and detestable, the words are worse!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 03:53 PM

Mbo, nobody gets insulted here. You're a treasure. I'm gonna check out the Vatican one.

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Mbo
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 02:19 PM

Has anyone ever heard the Vatican City's national anthem? It's great! Beautiful..sweeping...majestic...and full of that good old fashioned Catholic pomp and circumstance (as a Catholic I can fully appreciate it.)! BTW if anyone has Encarta 98, you can listen midis of every country in the world's national anthem. Lots o' fun!

--Mbo (sorry if I insulted anyone...)

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Bert
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 01:12 PM

The anthem that I would choose for ALL countries of the world is "Beer glorious Beer" ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Penny S.
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 12:56 PM

What's the tune to God Bless America?

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Anthems-are-us
From: Margo
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 12:34 PM

Hey, Star Spangled Banner is only difficult if you're vocally challenged! :o) (elbow in the ribs) Actually, you're right about it not being very easy to sing. It's a good audition piece; you can really find out what a person can do in the way of range and breath control.

Personally, I'd like to see God Bless America as the national anthem. Short and sweet, very singable.

Margo