Politically incorrect national anthems

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: goatfell
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 06:33 AM

Advnce Australia fair was written by a man from Glasgow, Waltzing Matlida was written by an Australian about an Australian man, and yet the Australians voted for a song written by a Scotsman.

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: Betsy
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 08:25 AM

The British National anthem is great - it fits in perfectly with all our other sporting chants and songs - many using Folk song/tunes .
Not many sing the "Queen" instead electing to sing "God save our Greatest team - long live our noble etc. etc." and obviously we want our Team ( as the song says ) to be victorious.

Leave them all alone they were developed by generations who thought or believed a country needed some sort of musical identity and in times when women were not part of the fighting force whether you like that fact or not.

So-called Politically correct people make me sick,we are constantly told that their view overrules the majority, which in itself makes a laughing stock of the basic premise of Democracy.
I say, fair play and full representation of all views.

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: eddie1
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 09:52 AM

I've enjoyed reading this thread and, having lived through the era of playing in a band where you had to finish the evening by playing "God Save The Queen", I support the Billy Connolly idea of the theme music from The Archers. The great advantage over all other anthems is that the words are unforgettable, namely:

Dum de dum de dum de dum
Dum de dum de dum dum
Dum de dum de dum de dum
Dum de dum de dum
Dum de dum de dum de dum de dum de dum de dum
Dum de dum de dum de dum de dum de dum de dum.

Have to finish now, I'm dribbling patriotic tears in my keyboard!

Eddie

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: GUEST,Visitor
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 10:18 AM

If you REALLY want to have a NPC national anthem (it is banned now);

Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
Über alles in der Welt,
wenn es stets zu Schutz und Trutze
brüderlich zusammenhält.
von der Maas bis an die Memel,
von der Etsch bis an den Belt,
Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
Über alles in der Welt!

Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang
sollen in der Welt behalten
ihren alten schönen Klang,
uns zu edler Tat begeistern
unser ganzes Leben lang.
Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang!

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
für das deutsche Vaterland!
Danach lasst uns alle streben
brüderlich mit Herz und Hand!
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
sind des Glückes Unterpfand;
Blüh im Glanze dieses Glückes,
blühe, deutsches Vaterland.

Provisional translation:

Germany, Germany above everything,
above everything in the world,
When it always, for protection and defence,
Brotherly stands together.
From the Meuse to the Neman,
From the Adige to the Belt,
Germany, Germany above all,
Above anything in the world.

German women, German loyalty,
German wine and German song
Shall retain in the world
Their old beautiful ring
And inspire us to noble deeds
During all of our life.
German women, German loyalty,
German wine and German song!

Unity and justice and freedom
For the German fatherland;
For these let us all strive,
Brotherly with heart and hand.
Unity and justice and freedom
Are the pledge of happiness.
flourish in this fortune's blessing,
flourish, German fatherland.

The third stanza is currently Germany's national anthem, the first 2 are banned.

I personally like the GDR's national anthem, many of my German friends have told me that even Wessie's think that is a much better national anthem for Germany.

The GDR's national anthem;
Auferstanden aus Ruinen
und der Zukunft zugewandt,
lasst uns Dir zum Guten dienen,
Deutschland, einig Vaterland.
Alte Not gilt es zu zwingen,
und wir zwingen sie vereint,
denn es muss uns doch gelingen,
dass die Sonne schön wie nie
über Deutschland scheint,
über Deutschland scheint.

Glück und Friede sei beschieden
Deutschland, unserm Vaterland.
Alle Welt sehnt sich nach Frieden,
reicht den Völkern eure Hand.
Wenn wir brüderlich uns einen,
schlagen wir des Volkes Feind.
Lasst das Licht des Friedens scheinen,
dass nie eine Mutter mehr
ihren Sohn beweint,
ihren Sohn beweint.

Lasst uns pflügen, lasst uns bauen,
lernt und schafft wie nie zuvor,
und der eignen Kraft vertrauend
steigt ein frei Geschlecht empor.
Deutsche Jugend, bestes Streben
unsres Volks in dir vereint,
wirst du Deutschlands neues Leben.
Und die Sonne schön wie nie
über Deutschland scheint,
über Deutschland scheint.

Provisional translation
] German lyrics

Auferstanden aus Ruinen
und der Zukunft zugewandt,
lasst uns Dir zum Guten dienen,
Deutschland, einig Vaterland.
Alte Not gilt es zu zwingen,
und wir zwingen sie vereint,
denn es muss uns doch gelingen,
dass die Sonne schön wie nie
über Deutschland scheint,
über Deutschland scheint.

Glück und Friede sei beschieden
Deutschland, unserm Vaterland.
Alle Welt sehnt sich nach Frieden,
reicht den Völkern eure Hand.
Wenn wir brüderlich uns einen,
schlagen wir des Volkes Feind.
Lasst das Licht des Friedens scheinen,
dass nie eine Mutter mehr
ihren Sohn beweint,
ihren Sohn beweint.

Lasst uns pflügen, lasst uns bauen,
lernt und schafft wie nie zuvor,
und der eignen Kraft vertrauend
steigt ein frei Geschlecht empor.
Deutsche Jugend, bestes Streben
unsres Volks in dir vereint,
wirst du Deutschlands neues Leben.
Und die Sonne schön wie nie
über Deutschland scheint,
über Deutschland scheint.
        
[edit] English translation

Risen from the ruins
and faced towards the future,
Let us serve you for the good,
Germany, united fatherland.
Old woes we will have to conquer,
and, united, so we shall,
For it lies within our power
that the sun, beautiful as never before,
Shines over Germany,
shines over Germany.

Happiness and peace may be granted
Germany, our fatherland.
All the world now longs for peace,
so go forth and extend your hand.
When as brothers we unite,
we defeat the people's foe.
Let it shine, the light of Peace!
so that no mother again must
Mourn her son,
mourn her son.

Let us plough, let us build,
learn and work as never before,
And, in confidence and strength,
a free generation will come forth.
German youth, the best endeavor
of our people combined in you,
You will be Germany's new life.
Then may the sun, more beautiful than ever
Shine over Germany,
shine over Germany.

Now THAT is a good national anthem, amongst others because it talks about peace and NOT about war.

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: topical tom
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 10:22 AM

Canada's "alternate anthem" that we sang in elementary school, "The Maple Leaf Forever":

                   The Maple Leaf Forever - Lyrics

From: Sean Vanderfluit
Newsgroups: soc.culture.canada,nb.general,can.general,ns.general,soc.culture.atlantic.canada
Subject: Re: "The Maple Leaf Forever", words to
Organization: Vancouver Regional FreeNet

When I was in elementary school (late 1970's) we'd have school assemblies every Friday. Part of the routine was always the singing of O Canada, God Save the Queen, and The Maple Leaf Forever. IMHO, The Maple Leaf Forever is a far more stirring and patriotic song than O Canada. Of course, it's probably far too politically incorrect, but what isn't these days. It's part of our history, for better or worse, and it's about time Canadians quit throwing their history in the closet as if it's something to be ashamed of. But check out the last verse. If that isn't a rousing call for national unity, we all might as well leave.

The Lyrics

    In Days of yore,
    From Britain's shore
    Wolfe the dauntless hero came
    And planted firm Britannia's flag
    On Canada's fair domain.
    Here may it wave,
    Our boast, our pride
    And joined in love together,
    The thistle, shamrock, rose entwined,
    The Maple Leaf Forever.

    [CHORUS]
    The Maple Leaf
    Our Emblem Dear,
    The Maple Leaf Forever.
    God save our Queen and heaven bless,
    The Maple Leaf Forever.

    At Queenston Heights and Lundy's Lane
    Our brave fathers side by side
    For freedom's home and loved ones dear,
    Firmly stood and nobly died.
    And so their rights which they maintained,
    We swear to yeild them never.
    Our watchword ever more shall be
    The Maple Leaf Forever

    [CHORUS]

    Our fair Dominion now extends
    From Cape Race to Nootka Sound
    May peace forever be our lot
    And plenty a store abound
    And may those ties of love be ours
    Which discord cannot sever
    And flourish green for freedom's home
    The Maple Leaf Forever

    [CHORUS]

HTMLified by clamen+www@c

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's Apprentice
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 01:07 PM

"Senator wants to change anthem's sexist lyrics"

which proves that the Canadian Senate, like the House of Lords, is a total waste of air and space.

" wish they'd stop fucking with my national anthem...
PC feckwits!"

Which proves the Canadian education system is failing miserably.

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 02:21 PM

Something tells me "The Maple Leaf Forever" will never fly in Québec.

The only maple here on the prairies is the Manitoba maple, which drips goo because it is always beset with aphids and its abundant seedlings are a nuisance in gardens.

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 02:50 PM

The French "O Canada", the "Chant national" is far better than any of the translations its ever had into English. And there's nothing in any way sexist about it either.

Here's the first verse, which counts as the National Anthem, but without anything about "sons". (The later verses are pretty good too):

Ô Canada!
Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: GUEST,IRTWM
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 05:26 PM

Reading through the remarks, it seems like women aren't being given enough credit by the people who want to change every instance of 'sons'. Are they really that insecure?

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: Little Hawk
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 07:59 PM

They have a chip on their shoulders about it and are over-reacting, in my opinion, in the way that people do overreact when they carry such a grievance.

The primary reason the word "sons" is used in that lyric is that it's a one-syllable word which fits neatly into the line and serves the purpose admirably. The words "daughters", "children", "citizens", "people", "women" are all of 2 or more syllables, and they simply do not work as well. In the context of the anthem, the term "sons" is a generic term that simply means "the children of the nation". "Souls" or "hearts" would also work, and of recent years in fact the word "hearts" (all our hearts' command) has often been substituted.

Another factor, of course, in the use of "sons" would have been that it was normally men who served in the military at the historical time the lyric was written, not women.....but the real key is that "sons" is a one-syllable word that fits the meter and rythm and also conveys the necessary meaning (the children of the nation).

It was not intended as any deliberate exclusion of females, nor should it now be taken as such.

Be that as it may, I have no objection to people singing "all our hearts command" if that makes them feel better. I have no objection to either approach. They both work okay.

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: Art Thieme
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 08:20 PM

My answer to the question inherrent in the title of this thread is "ALL OF THEM!!" I pretty much adhere to the old idea that: If hell has a religion, it is Nationalism and/or Patriotism!!

If national anthems aren't politically incorrect, they sure ought to be that!

Art

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: Rog Peek
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 06:04 AM

I'm English, and I, alas, haven't got a bloody national anthem!

Rog

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: Mooh
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 09:07 AM

"...in all yous guys command..." or some such variant would work around here and no one would notice.

O Canada does have other verses, as mentioned above, one which contains the line "may stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise".

My favourite verse:

O Canada! Where pines and maples grow,
great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow,
how dear to us thy broad domain,
from east to western sea,
our own beloved native land,
our true north strong and free!
etc...

But wait, perhaps it's not inclusive enough for oaks, spruce, cedar et al.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 11:00 AM

OAK AND ASH AND THORN!!!!

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: Mooh
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 01:15 PM

Guest...LOL, sure, whatever.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 02:02 PM

I might suggest "The Soldiers' Song" from Knickerbocker Holiday". I was a member of the cast of a production of that great musical in 1950 or so, and the part of this song I can now remember is like this:

"To war, to war, to war!
We don't want what we're fighting for!
To war, to war, to war!
But that's all right when soldiers go to war.

Oh, if we leave our homes and go to fight,
It's not because we're certain that we're right,
Or even that it fills us with delight
That we'll be slaughtered heroes by tonight,
Or that we've been offered gold!
No, it's only that we're told!

To war, to war, to war!" and so forth.

More's the pity, a quick Google didn't get me the complete lyrics.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 03:20 PM

Here's the original version of O Canada.

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 03:58 PM

And then, there's the national anthem of France:

Read the lyrics to the French national anthem while you listen to the "Marseillaise." An alternate translation, where available, is included in parenthesis.

Is the Marseillaise truly the world's goriest national anthem?

Interesting information about the modern-day controversy in France regarding the text of their national anthem follows the lyrics.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

National Anthem of France
Words and music by Rouger de lisle (1760-1836)

Arise children of the fatherland
The day of glory has arrived
Against us tyranny's
Bloody standard is raised
Listen to the sound in the fields
The howling of these fearsome soldiers
They are coming into our midst
To cut the throats of your sons and consorts

To arms citizens
Form you battalions
March, march
Let impure blood
Water our furrows

What do they want this horde of slaves
Of traitors and conspiratorial kings?
For whom these vile chains
These long-prepared irons?
Frenchmen, for us, ah! What outrage
What methods must be taken?
It is we they dare plan
To return to the old slavery!

What! These foreign cohorts!
They would make laws in our courts!
What! These mercenary phalanxes
Would cut down our warrior sons
Good Lord! By chained hands
Our brow would yield under the yoke
The vile despots would have themselves be
The masters of destiny

Tremble, tyrants and traitors
The shame of all good men
Tremble! Your parricidal schemes
Will receive their just reward
Against you we are all soldiers
If they fall, our young heros
France will bear new ones
Ready to join the fight against you

Frenchmen, as magnanimous warriors
Bear or hold back your blows
Spare these sad victims
Who with regret are taking up arms against us
But not these bloody despots
These accomplices of BouillŽ
All these tigers who pitilessly
Are ripping open their mothers' breasts (womb)

We shall enter into the pit
When our elders will no longer be there
There we shall find their ashes
And the mark of their virtues
We are much less jealous of surviving them
Than of sharing their coffins
We shall have the sublime pride
Of avenging or joining them

Sacred Love for the Fatherland
Lead and support our avenging arms
Liberty, cherished liberty
Join the struggle with your defenders
Under our flags, let victory
hasten to you virile (or manly) force
So that in death your enemies
See your triumph and our glory!

(Drive on sacred patriotism
Support our avenging arms
Liberty, cherished liberty
Join the struggle with your defenders
Under our flags, let victory
Hurry to your evil tone
So that in death your enemies
See your triumph and our glory!)

Subject: RE: Politically incorrect national anthems
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 07:13 PM

Here's an interesting twist for one national anthem, sung backwards, and it sounds quite good that way too. I won't say which one, because it would spoil the surprise. An impressive, if somewhat pointless, feat.