National Anthems

[Onkel Neal]

National Anthems and school fight songs have always interested me. They're sort of like the fight song for a country, or school. I cannot deny that hearing the Star Spangled Banner at sporting events, with the roar of the crowd at the end, always moves me.

There are other national anthems I like, particularly the French and Soviet anthems. Very moving, very stirring. I cannot spell the name of the French anthem, and the Soviet/Russian anthem--don't even know the name. But they are really cool pieces.

Post your favorites here, post a link to your national anthem, and some details about it we may find interesting. I would like to hear them and learn more. Also, as mentioned above, I think there are college and school fight songs, and military branch songs that are pretty cool. The US Marines and US Navy both have awesome songs, as well as the Air Force. I think Texas has an anthem but it's pretty lame.

Here's my contribution: a really cool interpretation of the by a really talented group of young men.

[Betonov]

Sure thing

Slovene national anthem Zdravljica:


Written in 1844 by France Prešeren, it talks about the Slav people, the desire for independence, wine and some more wine

Unofficial Slovene national anthem Golica:


When you make a polka song so popular that 16 year olds will dance to it, then you don't need a comment

[ikalugin]

Current Russian anthem uses the same music as the post 1943 Soviet one (the initial anthem was different - it was the Internationale in Russian), the wording too is very simmilar.

When I used to study in the British school we had to sing God Save the Queen several times a month

[kranz]

Originally Posted by ikalugin

Current Russian anthem uses the same music as the post 1943 Soviet one (the initial anthem was different - it was the Internationale in Russian), the wording too is very simmilar.

surprise, surprise...

[Dan D]

Das „Lied der Deutschen“ (Song of the Germans) became the national anthem in 1922.
It consists of three verses:

1. Deutschland „über alles“
2. German wine, German women, German singing
3. Freedom, Brotherhood, Equity

Verse 1 is often misinterpreted. When Hoffmann von Fallersleben wrote the lyrics in 1841 he was not anticipating Nazi world domination dreams but advoacting a unification of the German speaking single states.

The size of a German nation state back in 1841 would have been the land between the rivers „Maas“ to „Memel“ and „Etsch“ to „Belt". Because of the loss of territory in the 2 WW s, Germany is actually smaller today, „Maas“ is part of Belgium. „Memel“ part of Russia and Lithuania, „Etsch“ Italy and „Belt“ Denmark.


So singing the first verse today may raise some concerns in those countries. So polite as we are, we don't sing the first verse very much.
Fun fact, many people think it is „verboten“ by law to sing the first verse. That is wrong. You can sing all three verses as much as you won't.


It is the other way round, if people try to stop other people from singing the third verse this may get them into Trouble.

3 West German politicians singing the anthem on 11/10 1989, the day after East-Germany had opened its border:

[Lucky Starr]

Here the anthem from Austria (not Australia, because we have no Kangaroos except in the Zoo). It is based on a work from W.A. Mozart. Some years ago the text was official changed slighty, but I am sure the most of our people don't like this change.




This is one of our unofficial annthems:

[MGR1]

I guess "God Save the Queen" (or King, depending on whether it's a bloke on the throne!) doesn't really need any intro:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Save_the_Queen

I think everybody knows what it sounds like......

England mainly uses "God Save the Queen", but "Jerusalem" is gaining popularity:

http://www.nationalanthems.info/eng!jeru.htm



Northern Ireland uses "Danny Boy/Londonderry Air":

http://www.nationalanthems.info/nie.htm



Wales uses "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau", also known as "Land of my Fathers" in English:

http://www.nationalanthems.info/wal.htm



Last, but not least, Scotland has "Flower of Scotland":

http://www.nationalanthems.info/sco.htm



I'm going to be a bit controversial here, but although "Flower of Scotland" is stirring enough, I can't say I particularly like it, and I do think it's a bit of a dirge. It's also been described as a "grudge set to music", which is arguably true.

I'd rather something a bit happier and with a snappy tempo had been chosen, like "Scotland the Brave"!



Mike.

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by ikalugin

Current Russian anthem uses the same music as the post 1943 Soviet one (the initial anthem was different - it was the Internationale in Russian), the wording too is very simmilar.

When I used to study in the British school we had to sing God Save the Queen several times a month

You mean:

Originally Posted by kranz

surprise, surprise...

And you wanted to say

[Moonlight]

The National Anthem of Italy was written by Goffredo Mameli in the autumn of 1847 but only became the Italian National Anthem in 1946.
Mameli was a Republican born in Genova in 1827 who joined the war with Garibaldi to fight the French troops. The French, at the time, were supporting the Catholic state in Rome.
Goffredo died 2 years after writing the Italian National Anthem. He was only 22 years old and his death was as a result of an infection due to a war injury. His remains are kept in the Mausoleum of the Janiculum.

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Here's my contribution: a really cool interpretation of the by a really talented group of young men.

^1969: HERE's the Coolest version of all IMHO, done in front of 300,000 people-by one talented young man...at Woodstock! He brings out the bombs bursting in air and the rockets red glare- What Francis Scott Key penned to a drinking song- as both protest and ANTHEM: one man; one moment; one guitar: Still gives me shivers since I'm only hearing a copy of what's inside the man's head! On a lesser note since you mentioned School fight songs: well there is only one! from which we get the expression "go pher it!" the beverage is anyone's guess!

[Jimbuna]

The UK national anthem has already been posted but there are many others of a military theme, depending on your individual preference.

Here is one of mine:

Can't beat a bit of the old nostalgia

Rule Britannia



Here's another:

There'll always be an England!



A couple of local songs:

Fog On The Tyne



Blaydon Races

[Skybird]

Dan D is not fully correct. At least since 1991, only and exclusively the third verse is the official German national anthem, the other two verses are no longer officially recognised as part of the anthem.

By text, many anthems seem to be violent and war-happy. By musical sound, I may like anthems that I do not like by text. The Russian one sounds great, the British as well, by text I indeed like the German very much - it is not so martial like so many others. But the music sends you to bed.

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

depending on your individual preference.
Can't beat a bit of the old nostalgia... Rule Britannia

Still the best Anthem! And one we all know the words to!

[Herr-Berbunch]

Obviously being English it can only be God Save The Queen, in particular the lovely cover version by John Lydon and Co.

[u crank]

O Canada

I think our national anthem suits our country quite well. That being said there is now a bit of controversy about the lyrics. The line 'True patriot love in all thy sons command' is what the fuss is all about.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1210208/

When I first heard about this I was apposed to changing something this traditional. But then the brain and heart kicked in. Women serve and die as police officers and soldiers so I think the nations song should reflect that. On that note here's a version by a nice Canadian girl.