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Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems

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ard mhacha 01 Mar 06 - 05:18 AM
Paul Burke 01 Mar 06 - 05:36 AM
GUEST,Dr Price 01 Mar 06 - 07:59 AM
sian, west wales 01 Mar 06 - 08:21 AM
GEST 01 Mar 06 - 08:27 AM
The Fooles Troupe 01 Mar 06 - 08:40 AM
GUEST,dax 01 Mar 06 - 06:34 PM
Bill D 01 Mar 06 - 06:45 PM
Kaleea 01 Mar 06 - 09:41 PM
Splott Man 02 Mar 06 - 04:14 AM
ChrisE 02 Mar 06 - 08:29 AM
sian, west wales 02 Mar 06 - 10:21 AM
ard mhacha 02 Mar 06 - 12:13 PM
GUEST,Jim 02 Mar 06 - 12:31 PM
TheBigPinkLad 02 Mar 06 - 02:39 PM
NH Dave 02 Mar 06 - 05:10 PM
Compton 02 Mar 06 - 08:03 PM
McGrath of Harlow 02 Mar 06 - 08:33 PM
GUEST 02 Mar 06 - 08:53 PM
autolycus 03 Mar 06 - 03:42 AM
TheBigPinkLad 03 Mar 06 - 06:40 PM
The Fooles Troupe 03 Mar 06 - 06:49 PM
GUEST,thurg 04 Mar 06 - 12:43 PM
Scotus 05 Mar 06 - 12:14 PM
McGrath of Harlow 05 Mar 06 - 01:43 PM
autolycus 05 Mar 06 - 02:10 PM
Scotus 05 Mar 06 - 02:56 PM
Keith A of Hertford 05 Mar 06 - 04:49 PM
The Fooles Troupe 05 Mar 06 - 07:59 PM
GUEST,Joe_F 05 Mar 06 - 08:29 PM
Paul Burke 06 Mar 06 - 03:36 AM
Paul Burke 06 Mar 06 - 03:40 AM
GUEST 06 Mar 06 - 08:05 AM
TheBigPinkLad 06 Mar 06 - 03:46 PM
Purple Foxx 06 Mar 06 - 04:23 PM
The Fooles Troupe 06 Mar 06 - 07:05 PM
McGrath of Harlow 06 Mar 06 - 07:27 PM
GUEST,thurg 06 Mar 06 - 07:56 PM
Scotus 06 Mar 06 - 09:42 PM
McGrath of Harlow 07 Mar 06 - 12:02 PM
Wilfried Schaum 08 Mar 06 - 05:03 AM
McGrath of Harlow 08 Mar 06 - 06:28 AM
GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser) 08 Mar 06 - 07:38 AM
GUEST 08 Mar 06 - 07:53 AM
GUEST,TIA 08 Mar 06 - 09:31 AM
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Subject: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: ard mhacha
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 05:18 AM

Having heard another brilliant performance of the Welsh National Anthem before Sundays international with Ireland, I put this anthem to the top of the tree for being not only stirring but musically well ahead of all the others.
The Italian, French, and German, in that order as runners up.
I can`t be accused of being biased, as I don`t rate the Irish anthem.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Paul Burke
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 05:36 AM

This was written by a Welsh poet who felt sorry for the English politicians who had to turn up to functions and seem to know Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau in Welsh. As long as you don't actually sing, you should make the right movements with your lips:

My hen laid a haddock
One hand oiled a flea,
Glad farts and centurions threw dogs in the sea.

I could stew a hare here,
Or brandish Dan's flan,
Don's ruddy bog's filled up with sand.

Dad, Dad, why don't you oil Auntie Glad?
Can whores appear in beer bottle pies?
So butter the hens as they fly!


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 07:59 AM

There's a statue in Pontypridd town, commemorating father and son Evan James and James James, who wrote Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau - a truly inspirational, moving and stately gift of Welsh culture. Or was it?

The historian and Pontypridd Museum curator, Brian Davies, had this story (I had a severe stroke and I haven't seen Brian for five years, so apologies if this gets a bit garbled):

Apparently, James was a harper and a bit of a drunkard. He used to go for a 'sesiwn' at one of Pontypridd's many pubs, carrying his harp on his back, and stagger back in the small hours totally pissed. At one of these sessions, it was James who wrote the jig tune Glan Rhondda (the banks of the Rhondda river) which was a rip-roarer and, once it had been tidied up a bit, an absolute likeness of the Welsh National Anthem.

Glan Rhondda? In Pontypridd 100 years ago, houses lined the Rhondda river, which was an unwilling drain for toilets. Every time Pontypridd men wanted to take a leak, they would use the local slang phrase: "I'm just going down to the Banks of the Rhondda." So you have one very merry harper, desperate to relieve himself on the long walk back home and vowing to write a tune in praise of a bog - which became the Welsh National Anthem!


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: sian, west wales
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 08:21 AM

I think that's just fine! Is this connected with our national vegetable?

siân


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: GEST
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 08:27 AM

Since it wasn't mentioned previously, I would be remiss not to mention my adopted country's anthem. When a large group of us sang out our hearts after the citizenshp ceremony in 2004, there were very few in the auditorium who were not choked up or in tears. So, HERE, complete with a music score and a choice of four beautiful MIDI files, is the anthem played at the end of the 2006 Olympic Curling competition. :-)


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 08:40 AM

I've never met Gert by the Sea.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: GUEST,dax
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 06:34 PM

Anthem of Siam . Sing to air of God Save The Queen:
"Oh waw tah na Siam"       :)


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 06:45 PM

"Owah Tagoo Siam"


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Kaleea
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 09:41 PM

Yes, Bill, that has always been my fav since I saw that episode of "Spanky & Our Gang!"


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Splott Man
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 04:14 AM

I've always felt God Save The Queen was a limp anthem. During the 6 nations rugby tournament, every home nation gets it's own anthem, but England has to put up with the British anthem, not stirring in the least. Billy Connolly had the right idea, play the Archers theme, that'll get them up and going!

My favourite is a toss up between Wales and France. Mind you Marvin Gaye's version of the American anthem takes some beating.

Incidentally the late Tich Gwilym (Welsh session man and rock guitar hero) used to do a marvellous "Hendrix" on Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: ChrisE
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 08:29 AM

Since I'm from Austria I want to add that the German stole the anthem from Austria.
if you want a proof ;-) (but if you click turn the volume down of your speakers!)


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: sian, west wales
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 10:21 AM

They showed Tich and his version on a programme about Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau last night. Brought a tear to the eye ...

I'm quite partial to France's as well, and I always prefer singing the French of Oh Canada - nicer words by a long shot. And I don't know how many time they've changed the English words since I was a kid.

I don't even mind the Ding Dangled Spanner, except it's got such a ridiculous range. Why don't Americans sing their national anthem - just let some soloist belt it out? I kinda think that "America" would have been a better choice ... but none of my business really.

sian


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: ard mhacha
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 12:13 PM

One glaring omission, The Russian anthem, my No 3.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 12:31 PM

O Canada makes a really nice ragtime finger-style piece. I was really proud of my version till I mentioned it to Terry Tufts and he played one that put mine to shame.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 02:39 PM

I'm yet to hear a national anthem that doesn't suck.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: NH Dave
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 05:10 PM

The Norwegian National Anthem, Ja Vi Elsker Dette Landet , Yes we Love this Land, sounds well when sung, and extols the virtues of their country.

Dave


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Compton
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 08:03 PM

Hold you hard...although I'm not a big fam of ours..
Have a listen to the Spanish Nat Anthem...a really nice tune!
...

P.S Didn't a Brit write the tune for "The Stars and Stripes"?


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 08:33 PM

The one that raises the hairs on the back of my neck is the Romanian one. I remember it from the last World Cup, and I reckon it was worth a goal up for the Romanian team in terms of morale.

There's an instrumental version on this site (Along with instrumental versions of almost all the other anthems around the world.)

But I'm not with ard mhacha about The Soldier's Song. It does the trick for me, anyway.

As for the Star Spangled Banner and it's being unsingable because of its spread of notes, I think if Americans think that way, and don't sing it when they get the chance, they are just being wimps. So what even if you can't make all the notes, other people will be able to make them, and you can make the notes they can't make. Isn't that kind of collaboration the sort of thing that is implied in a motto like "E pluribus unum".


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 08:53 PM

Of course Scotland has to make do with an anthem which has a verse asking God to protect us from ourselves (it was English before it was British!).

I like the idea of Scotland giving the world an anthem to sing together every New Year - 'Auld Lang Syne' (and it doesn't say we're better than everyone else).

Jack


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: autolycus
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 03:42 AM

I'll have to listen to my tape of many national anthems.

Meantime, I'm partial to "God Save the Queen" because , for me, it is moving, and also it fits many very British characteritics, emotional restraint, dignity, pomposity, stirringness (?), decent tunr (IMO) and a certain magnificence.

Obviously, I like the Israeli one, also quite hymn-like, great tune and possibly derived from the symphonic poem Vltava by Smetana.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 06:40 PM

But did you know, Jack, that the tune was likely swiped from William Shield (an Englishman, well, sort of ... a Geordie)?

The argument rages on


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 06:49 PM

"partial to "God Save the Queen" because , for me, it is moving, and also it fits many very British characteritics, emotional restraint, dignity, pomposity, stirringness (?), decent tune (IMO) and a certain magnificence."

... and still wants to kick the shit out of the Scots...


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: GUEST,thurg
Date: 04 Mar 06 - 12:43 PM

Once heard a beautiful, poignant song that was characterised as the "national anthem" of the Saami people. Anyone familiar with it?

Speaking of national anthems of "minorities" - "My Love is But a Lassie Yet" (the tune) seems to be the unofficial national anthem of the Inuit, at least of the eastern Arctic, just as "The Red River Jig" could be considered the national anthem of the Native people collectively of western Canada.

Any other "unofficial national anthems"? "Auld Lang Syne" has been mentioned as the world's national anthem ...


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Scotus
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 12:14 PM

In my previous post (minus cookie - guest) about the Scottish anthem I was trying (obviously clumsily) to explain the the UK has an anthem which is shared by all its constituent nations, and that is 'God Save the Queen/King'. This was previously the English national anthem/song and contains a (little sung) verse asking God to protect us from 'those rebellious Scots'. So we (Scots) have a national anthem asking God to protect us from ourselves - a very presbyterian attitude, so rather appropriate!

So - Big Pink Lad - hardly surprising it should have been composed by an Englishman.

Jack


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 01:43 PM

Lord grant that Marshal Wade
    May by thy mighty aid
    Victory bring.
    May he sedition hush,
    And like a torrent rush,
    Rebellious Scots to crush.
    God save the King!


But fair does, "rebellious Scots" here, would have meant specifically those Scots who were in rebellion, rather than the majorityy of Scots who backed the Hanoverian usurpers, or were sitting on their hands waiting to see which sides won, and thus should be supported.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: autolycus
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 02:10 PM

Foolestroupe, I was talking about the National Anthem.

Having heard another16 this a.m., they don't usually seem to be much cop.

Then I thought, 'If you're composing the national anthem, don't suppose you'd come with anything particularly off-the-wall (or even interesting?)

Ivor


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Scotus
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 02:56 PM

McGrath - I was kind of joking about the rebellious Scots. I believe that when Princess Anne opened the new Royal Opera House in Glasgow a few years ago the choir sang the whole thing and nobody noticed the 'offending' verse!

Jack


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 04:49 PM

Did we not share the God Save The Queen tune with United States for their anthem for a while?
Just saw john Ford's film Drums along The Mohawk. The finale is the stars and stripes being raised after the defeat of the British, to the tune of God Save The Queen!


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 07:59 PM

Just how many stars and stripes were there? ;-0


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: GUEST,Joe_F
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 08:29 PM

"All the brass instruments and big drums in the world cannot turn `God Save the King' into a good tune, but on the very rare occasions when it is sung in full it does spring to life in the two lines:

Confound their politics,

Frustrate their knavish tricks!

And, in fact, I had always imagined that the second verse is habitually left out because of a vague suspicion on the part of the Tories that these lines refer to themselves." -- George Orwell (1943)

Even more impressive, to me, are the lines "May she defend our laws, And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice," etc. Invoking divine aid to make the Sovereign mind her business shows a lively appreciation of a continuing problem.

--- Joe Fineman    joe_f@verizon.net

||: First you find out that there is no Santa Claus, then that there is no God, and then that there are no grownups. :||


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Paul Burke
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 03:36 AM

Thurg, the Saami national anthem "Sámi soga lávlla", is beautiful when sung, though the words are a bit trite:

"Never was there battle,
Never brother's blood was spilt
Amongst the peaceful Saami kin."

They haven't been in Karasjok on a Saturday night.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Paul Burke
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 03:40 AM

Sámi soga lávlla


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 08:05 AM

The British national anthem is the best because it's only 14 bars long!


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 03:46 PM

So - Big Pink Lad - hardly surprising it should have been composed by an Englishman.

Well, I musta bin clumsy, too, Jack. I was referring to Auld Lang Syne, not GSTQ.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 04:23 PM

The star spangled banner is sung to the tune of an old English dirge entitled "To Anacreon in Heaven."
The tune of " My Country 'tis of thee" is not much better.
The entire French nation comes to a standstill if they hear the Intro to "All you need is love."
"Blaydon Races" it is then.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 07:05 PM

My father had a piece of hand written piano score entitled 'The Japanese Anthem' - it consisted mainly of a set of chords and their related arpeggios. I never got an explanation as to where it originated, but I sensed it was a WWII 'parody piece' - it was much in the same class of music as 'chopsticks' or 'down at pappa joes' - dead easy for 'non-musos' to play on the piano.

My dad was in the RAF in WWII - and served in England/Scotland up to V.E. day, then came back to Australia till V.P. day - meeting with USAF pilots there.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 07:27 PM

The tune of " My Country 'tis of thee" is not much better. A lot worse, being, of course the same tune as "God Save the Queen".

Nothing "dirge-like" about the Star-Spangled Banner, if it's sung right. Which it very rarely is I understand. "Anacreon" was a drinking song. and that's what that tune needs.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: GUEST,thurg
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 07:56 PM

Paul - Thanks for the info. and link. When I heard the Saami anthem before, it was sung by a single voice in a simple style, which I prefer to the choral version, although I must say that the singing is beautiful on that recording.

As for the triteness of the lyrics - oh well, I don't think we expect much of either depth or honesty in the lyrics of national anthems - after all, O Canada claims that our hearts are "glowing" rather than "freezing" ...


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Scotus
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 09:42 PM

I seem to rmember that someone told me that one of the US National songs (sorry - can't remember which) was to a tune by O'Carolan. Anybody confirm?

Jack


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 12:02 PM

That'd be the Star Spangled Banner, or rather Anacreon. Whether that's true or not I've no idea, but it's a good enough tune to make that plausible.

Since a lot of Americans evidently don't seem to like it that much, maybe some country where people aren't too scared to sing a tune witn a few twists and turns should take it over...


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 05:03 AM

To ChrisE - and the Austrians stole their national anthem from Mozart's Magic Flute.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 06:28 AM

Not from the Magic Flute. And probably not actually by Mozart, though it's been attributed to him - see here.

Either way, though it's a pretty tune, I don't think it's too good as a national anthem. But that's a matter for Austrians.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 07:38 AM

Best: The old Soviet anthem.

Worst: a tie between the American (utter gibberish) and British ones.

By the way, what does the queen sing? 'Send me victorious, Heppy and Glorious, Lorng too-oo reign erver yooouu, Gord say-ayve meeee....'


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 07:53 AM

I thought the Austrian/German tune was written by Haydn.


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Subject: RE: Tune Add: The tops in National Anthems
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 09:31 AM

Himno di Aruba is tops. Recently composed, but fits the country perfectly.


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