Mine are:
Russian National anthem
God save the queen,
the french one.
I think that The Star-Spangled Banner is a couple of sentences long, with very primitive chords put on top of that. Frankly it sucks. It's not even a song form--no verses, no refrain. Just one paragraph... I am wondering, is there an "Irish Drinking Song" arrangement of it? It would work really well. :)
It's time to write a new one!
d.
#1: South Africa
Distant second: France
Third: Canada
Quote from: marazm1 on December 07, 2007, 05:17:19 AM
Mine are:
Russian National anthem
God save the queen,
the french one.
I think that The Star-Spangled Banner is a couple of sentences long, with very primitive chords put on top of that. Frankly it sucks. It's not even a song form--no verses, no refrain. Just one paragraph... I am wondering, is there an "Irish Drinking Song" arrangement of it? It would work really well. :)
It's time to write a new one!
d.
From Wikipedia:
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from a poem written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key. Key, a 35-year-old amateur poet, wrote "Defence of Fort McHenry"[1] after seeing the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland by British ships in Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812.
The poem was set to the tune of a popular British drinking song written by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society, a London social club. "The Anacreontic Song" was already popular in the United States and set to various lyrics. Set to Key's poem and renamed, "The Star-Spangled Banner" would soon become a well-known American patriotic song. With a range of one and a half octaves, it is known for being difficult to sing. Although the song has four stanzas, only the first is commonly sung today, with the fourth ("O thus be it ever when free men shall stand ...") added on more formal occasions.
There are others???
I think the Brit one is on a Queen album. I've heard that.
Quote from: MN Dave on December 07, 2007, 05:32:29 AM
There are others???
I think the Brit one is on a Queen album. I've heard that.
It's on the "night at the opera" album
Quote from: marazm1 on December 07, 2007, 05:34:13 AM
It's on the "night at the opera" album
Yeah, I know. I was being jokey. Haha.
The anthem of Burkina Faso by a country mile ........
I once spent a few weeks in a Canadian high school in 11th grade. They would play the Canadian national anthem over the PA every morning. I think it must have been from an LP, because one day some joker decided to move the switch from 33 to 78 rpm. I'd have to say that must have been the best national anthem I've ever heard, especially with so many earnest Canadians around trying to keep a straight face.
France has the objectively "best" one, as a piece of good music, IMO. What surprises me about anthems is how horribly bad most of them are, devoid of tunes and bland as hell - this is very apparent during international rugby and football tournaments (Australia's new one is IMO a good example of this type, although it is better than most). During sporting tournaments I almost feel bad for the fans of a country with a terrible one when it is played before or after a good one. Other boring choices for effective anthems (in quite different ways) are Italy, Germany, the US and Britain. I like the tune to Finland's official one, although it goes almost nowhere and repeats a lot.
I'm actually quite fond of Romania's, although the first half of the melody is much more promising than the second half, which dissolves into the usual triviality...
Quote from: Lethe on December 07, 2007, 10:55:54 AM
Other boring choices for effective anthems (in quite different ways) are Italy, Germany, the US and Britain.
Hey! The German anthemn is by Haydn!
There is only one...
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/L%27Internationale.jpg)
Quote from: M forever on December 07, 2007, 02:02:06 PM
Hey! The German anthemn is by Haydn!
Indeedie, it was almost too obvious to mention, but there are so few good national anthems that the few decent ones all needed to be listed :)
i hate national anthems...... although, of course, there might be one out there which i like but haven't heard. Are there sites with recordings of all the national anthems?
My favorites from anthems I've heard are these ones. Very beautiful.
Iceland (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ0VhkNbmAQ)
Denmark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSk9xzVGk6c)
Norway (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhhStVKawbk)
Finland (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSlAuPOUew4)
Each video there from Youtube features a choir singing. The video for Norway is from a television broadcast with a choir singing their national anthem in some large indoor setting.
Wonderful singing on all of them! Wonderful music! :)
La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, is undoubtedly the best. Of course, you have to keep in mind that while France has had the same national anthem since 1789, it has had five republics, as well as other forms of government. The United States, on the other hand, has had a least 5 or more national anthems, but only one republic. Art is not everything.
Francis Scott Key wrote the words to The Star Spangled Banner. Only the first of the four verses is commonly sung, but here is the whole thing:
1. O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?
2. On the shore, dimly seen thro' the mist of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
3. And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner, in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
4. O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our Trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. [6]
The tune is from The Anacreonic Song, aka To Anacreon in Heaven, which was originally the signature song of a group of London amateur musicians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Anacreon_in_Heaven
Here is the Dutch national anthem, "Het Wilhelmus" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Het_Wilhelmus), which is of a rather solemn nature.
http://www.youtube.com/v/Bj2HY4UK-co&hl=en"></param><param%20name="wmode"%20value="transparent"></param>
Q
My favorite was the anthem of the ex DDR. Not for political reasons, of course. It was composed by Eisler and was very beautiful.
Now, with the end of the DDR, there is only the French National Anthem. I don't like much the others that I know (US, England, Russian, Spain, Portugal and even Germany, no matter it becomes from an Haydn theme).
Quote from: 12tone. on December 07, 2007, 05:54:33 PM
My favorites from anthems I've heard are these ones. Very beautiful.
Iceland (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ0VhkNbmAQ)
Denmark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSk9xzVGk6c)
Norway (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhhStVKawbk)
Finland (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSlAuPOUew4)
Each video there from Youtube features a choir singing. The video for Norway is from a television broadcast with a choir singing their national anthem in some large indoor setting.
Wonderful singing on all of them! Wonderful music! :)
Iceland and Denmark have some seriously good national anthems..... Norway and Finland are ok.
Why does America have to have such an ugly anthem in comparison? I say we steal the Danish national anthem and put our own words to it >:D
I vote for this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1zL13LvxS8) as the new anthem for the US.
Quote from: MN Dave on December 08, 2007, 05:15:32 AM
I vote for this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1zL13LvxS8) as the new anthem for the US.
yeah, that'd be better than the current one.
Quote from: MN Dave on December 08, 2007, 05:15:32 AM
I vote for this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1zL13LvxS8) as the new anthem for the US.
Too cheesy .......
The french have it right. Very good little tune.
Reading this thread also clued me in on that i only knew 1/4 of my national anthem. Well no worries, it isn't all that good anyways.
It isn't currently the US National Anthem. The SSB, comes in a far second to "God Bless America" Especially as sung by Kate Smith
Composer:
Irving Berlin, 1918; revised 1938
Spoken Introduction:
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.
God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above
From the mountains To the prairies,
To the ocean white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.
What an amazing song! Isn't it wonderful that we have been so lucky to be connected with people who are able to put to words our deepest thoughts and emotions? Irving Berlin was truly inspired. Close your eyes and listen to his message. Does it not touch your soul? Can't you just see crashing waves- the majesty of the mountains? All of the beautiful people working every day, alive and free because of the dream of our beloved Founding Fathers?
As this song is being broadcast throughout the world on various occasions, there is this incredible overwhelming desire to jump up and sing with all the energy of the soul, knowing that if we did, the choirs of Heaven would be singing right along with us! Our people love our country, our Lord loves our country, and as long as we continue to fight for our gift of love and freedom, we will continue to enjoy the blessings of this, our sacred nation.
Quote from: Iago on December 10, 2007, 12:34:58 AM
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.
God bless America, land that I love
Completely inappropriate for a country which is (at least in theory) secular and guarantees freedom of religion (or the freedom not to to have one). The Star Spangled Banner, no matter what the origin of its tune, is much better, and a song which reflects an actual and critical historical event in US history. The above "God Bless America" is just empty kitsch.
Interesting to see Iago is so receptive to this kind of kitsch. And he works so hard to present himself as a hard-boiled cynic here ;D
The words of MOST national anthems are pure crap and propaganda, La Marseillaise being the winner, but when it comes to the music itself, my favourite is Italy.
What counts is not the quality of the text, but the authenticity of the text and song taken together and that they have some real connection to events or situations which are relevant and/or decisive in the history of the given country. In that respect, the Marseillaise indeed probably is the winner, however great (or not) the text is as a piece of literature.
Italian by far. It's so much fun to sing
Quote from: M forever on December 10, 2007, 01:39:42 AM
What counts is not the quality of the text, but the authenticity of the text and song taken together and that they have some real connection to events or situations which are relevant and/or decisive in the history of the given country.
Agreed in principle, but...
Cara al sol and
Horst-Wessel-Lied meet these requirements and yet...
But not in a positive context and not with a positive association. I can't believe I have to point that out.
Germany and Italy - as the works of the great composers.
Soviet Union - as the anthem of Motherland
To me, La Marseillaise is reminiscent of the 1st movement of Mozart's 25th piano concerto K503
God Bless America is at first the best choice for the US national anthem. But as pointed out by M Forever, the whole religion deal. I am not a religious man at all but i still love God Bless America if that counts for anything.
Quote from: M forever on December 10, 2007, 12:42:51 AM
. The Star Spangled Banner, no matter what the origin of its tune, is much better, The above "God Bless America" is just empty kitsch.
That's YOUR opinion. And it must be shared by some others as well. GBA may be "kitsch", but it certainly isn't empty and expresses the pride in being an American.Since 9/11 GBA has been sung during the 7th inning stretch of every MLB game played in the US. Various rock groups, talentless teen performers and idols of the "in" crowd have so distorted and bastardized the words and rhythms of the SSB that it is a mockery of an anthem in the hands and throats of those so called "musicians". NOBODY ever trifles with "God Bless America". It's too beautiful and heartfelt to be sullied by so called "contemporary musicians".
With the latest proclamations of the Presidential candidates of both major political parties, placing emphasis on how much their "faith in God" has steered them towards what they hope will be victory in Nov 2008, I don't think that any reference to "God" in a National Anthem is inappropriate or constitutionally prohibited.
THATS' MY OPINION.
Quote from: Iago on December 10, 2007, 11:16:50 AM
Various rock groups, talentless teen performers and idols of the "in" crowd have so distorted and bastardized the words and rhythms of the SSB that it is a mockery of an anthem in the hands and throats of those so called "musicians". NOBODY ever trifles with "God Bless America". It's too beautiful and heartfelt to be sullied by so called "contemporary musicians".
That's not because it's better, it's because it's easier. GBA is a much simpler tune than SSB. By your standard, virtuoso pieces are worse than simple tunes because they are easier to screw up.
Quote from: Iago on December 10, 2007, 11:16:50 AM
With the latest proclamations of the Presidential candidates of both major political parties, placing emphasis on how much their "faith in God" has steered them towards what they hope will be victory in Nov 2008, I don't think that any reference to "God" in a National Anthem is inappropriate or constitutionally prohibited.
Those are two different issues. A presidential candidate is certainly free to discuss his/her personal faith. (Though whether it is wise to do so is a different question. (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/07/opinion/07fri1.html)) But the government cannot constitutionally endorse or support a religion (any religion) through official government acts, such as adopting an official national anthem that references a "god". So what the candidates are doing is not unconstitutional, but GBA as a national anthem would be subject to constitutional challenge.
Quote from: O Mensch on December 10, 2007, 01:38:10 PM
That's not because it's better, it's because it's easier. GBA is a much simpler tune than SSB. By your standard, virtuoso pieces are worse than simple tunes because they are easier to screw up.
Simple tunes are automatically disqualified from being National Anthems??
Gee, I didn't know that. Much better of course to have a monstrosity like the SSB. It's complexity must suit you to a tee.
You call yourself a "Mensch? According to the Yiddish usage of the word, you have a long ways to go to be a "Mensch"
Quote from: Iago on December 10, 2007, 03:07:56 PM
Simple tunes are automatically disqualified from being National Anthems??
Gee, I didn't know that. Much better of course to have a monstrosity like the SSB. It's complexity must suit you to a tee.
You call yourself a "Mensch? According to the Yiddish usage of the word, you have a long ways to go to be a "Mensch"
I never said anything about "disqualification" of GBA on the grounds of its simplicity. I merely contradicted your argument that GBA is the better song because it gets messed up less frequently. The reason it gets messed up less frequently is because it is easier to sing. I don't know that this in and of itself makes it a "better" anthem. You have a long way to go to attain adequate reading comprehension skills, Cuddles. ;)
Sorry Iago you lose. GOD bless america. It's just not going to happen. Good song with good lyrics, yes it is but unfortunately the word GOD is in the title as well as the refrain. Too bad, so sad. And yes politicians use references to God all the time. That is unfortunate because politicians are scum and have no god but power. It's used, unfortunately, to sway religious people to vote for them regardless of their policies or qualifications. I have heard many times in my family something to the effect of, "Well i am voting for him, he not afraid to tell people he's a Christian." Hook, line and sinker...... they bit it all. Unfortunately as well, "religious" politicians tend be all show and no game. Though you can't blame them, it is easy to benefit of the ignorance of others.
I would be up for a different anthem then the god forsaken SSB.
I like Mexico's, but i think it was written by a Spanish guy. I actually don't know that many national anthems.
Czech national anthem (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pe77mZKsn8I). A beautiful one, and very Czech-sounding. Nice tourist-friendly YouTube video, this one - feel your blood stirred! ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/X2S4mWDD--0
My favorite national anthem(s)? All the ones I haven't had to play! ::) ;D
i always wonder, which national anthems are the most difficult to sing?
Quote from: Gustav on December 11, 2007, 12:49:43 PM
i always wonder, which national anthems are the most difficult to sing?
I believe good ol' Star-Spangled is among the hardest, with its wide range and low start. :o
Not meaning to sound too patriotic, I am quite fond of the Greek national anthem. 8)
(http://www.3dflags.com/art/comps/grc0001/3dflags_grc0001-0001a.gif)
Quote from: E..L..I..A..S.. =) on December 11, 2007, 12:50:57 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/X2S4mWDD--0
That pretty bad, actually. Music is lousy, the belligerent lyrics even worse! ;D
(Don't know why they like war that much, they mainly lost them)
Q
Quote from: Que on December 11, 2007, 09:33:34 PM
That pretty bad, actually. Music is lousy, the belligerent lyrics even worse! ;D
(Don't know why they like war that much, they mainly lost them)
Q
Haha it is because when I was younger I would go to Mexico because the drinking age is 18. And at midnight and 6 am they would play it so it got stuck in my head :)
Quote from: Que on December 11, 2007, 09:33:34 PM
That pretty bad, actually. Music is lousy, the belligerent lyrics even worse! ;D
(Don't know why they like war that much, they mainly lost them)
Q
Indeed, it sounds like from some really bad Italian opera. Same about the Greek anthem, BTW, so I think
Quote from: Wanderer on December 11, 2007, 01:05:01 PM
Not meaning to sound too patriotic, I am quite fond of the Greek national anthem. 8)
(http://www.3dflags.com/art/comps/grc0001/3dflags_grc0001-0001a.gif)
Wanderer must be kidding. A real pity because there is so much great Greek music, but that sounds like some really bad march from an operetta.
Quote from: M forever on December 11, 2007, 09:54:58 PM
that sounds like some really bad march from an operetta.
;D
It's quite banal, for sure.
On musical terms, I am fond of Auferstanden aus Ruinen, the anthem of the former DDR. It's not too complicated and it has, despite the general unpleasantness of the Communist regime, nice-enough lyrics. Indeed, it's almost aggressively nice and polite.
Quote from: PSmith08 on December 12, 2007, 06:14:41 AM
On musical terms, I am fond of Auferstanden aus Ruinen, the anthem of the former DDR. It's not too complicated and it has...nice-enough lyrics.
Here's a translation for the non-German speakers:
Hail, hail East Germany
Land of fruit and grape
Land where you'll regret
If you try to escape
No matter if you tunnel under or take a running jump at the wall
Forget it, the guards will kill you, if the electrified fence doesn't first.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 14, 2007, 05:38:50 AM
Here's a translation for the non-German speakers:
Hail, hail East Germany
Land of fruit and grape
Land where you'll regret
If you try to escape
No matter if you tunnel under or take a running jump at the wall
Forget it, the guards will kill you, if the electrified fence doesn't first.
Sarge
:D
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 14, 2007, 05:38:50 AM
Here's a translation for the non-German speakers:
Hail, hail East Germany
Land of fruit and grape
Land where you'll regret
If you try to escape
No matter if you tunnel under or take a running jump at the wall
Forget it, the guards will kill you, if the electrified fence doesn't first.
Sarge
I don't offer any editorial comment on the DDR, other than to say that their national anthem wasn't bad.
The old Soviet National Anthem has always been a favourite of mine. Very rousing stuff!
Quote from: Que on December 11, 2007, 09:33:34 PM
That pretty bad, actually. Music is lousy, the belligerent lyrics even worse! ;D
(Don't know why they like war that much, they mainly lost them)
Q
Quote from: M forever on December 10, 2007, 01:39:42 AM
What counts is not the quality of the text, but the authenticity of the text and song taken together and that they have some real connection to events or situations which are relevant and/or decisive in the history of the given country.
Exactly. And most South American anthems come from the times when those countries were fighting for their independence from Spain, hence the "belligerent lyrics" that Que (and most reasonable people nowadays) finds so funny.
Take the Argentine National Anthem as another example. The modern version (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentine_National_Anthem#Modern_Version) is quite discrete, but the original version (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentine_National_Anthem#Original_version) is a bloodbath...
As for the music, among the many versions I found in youtube (ranging from rock covers to solo harmonica...), this is the closest to a decent one (although the military band and lousy choir seem to be unavoidable...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/1BJPW8YmP_U
I love the Russian National Anthem.
And although being Canadian, we might just have the most boring National Anthem and flag. Of course, that's just my opinion. :P
Otherwise, I am a proud Canadian. :)
In first grade my class did a project on world nations. We would have to make a presentation using things related to our assigned country. My country was Italy, and as part of my project, I brought in a taped recording (of a midi version from a computer encyclopedia ;)) of the national anthem. I haven't heard it since then but I can still hum it. :)
One interesting thing about La Marseillaise is that none of its phrases is self-repeating (unlike, say, the anthem for Italy, where it seems almost all of its phrases are self-repeating). This feature has made the French anthem rather difficult for me to memorize, and I sometimes wonder how the French do it. I'm not kidding; I find it easier to memorize something like Wir arme Leut from Wozzeck than the French national anthem.
No one mentioned the National Anthem of Wales "Land of my Father's" especially as sung by Bryn Terfel definitely among the top ten!
Wales has a national anthem? And why is it sung in English then?
Quote from: M forever on January 08, 2008, 06:22:51 PM
Wales has a national anthem? And why is it sung in English then?
Actually it's sung almost exclusively in Welsh: Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. It sounds more like a hymn than an anthem but whatever, it sounds great done right!
But why do they have a national anthem? Wales is not a nation, it's an English colony.
I like the British "God save the queen" pretty much. My bet is, there's exactly 0 British citizen who likes the german national anthem? ;)
And od course the anthem of the Republic of Biafra ;) (Sibelius' Finlandia)
I love the music of the Israeli national anthem, an arrangement of a familiar Moldavian folk tune.
And, of course, The Star Spangled Banner.;D
Quote from: M forever on January 08, 2008, 06:22:51 PM
Wales has a national anthem? And why is it sung in English then?
A former British Secretary of State for Wales, John Redwood, infamously did not know the words to the Welsh national anthem, and tried to mime along...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIwBvjoLyZc
Hilarious ;D
Quote from: M forever on January 08, 2008, 07:44:08 PM
But why do they have a national anthem? Wales is not a nation, it's an English colony.
Don't say that around the Welsh. Wales is no more a colony than Scotland.
Quote from: Bunny on April 29, 2008, 01:03:00 PM
Don't say that around the Welsh. Wales is no more a colony than Scotland.
I think the historical difference between them is that Wales was annexed by King Edward I of England in the 13th century. While Scotland fought him off and always maintained its sovereign independent status. The "United Kingdom" is exactly that - a union of the crowns when James VI of Scotland succeeded Elizabeth Tudor of England (1603), followed by a voluntary agreement to political merger a little over a century later (1707).
Quote from: Bunny on April 29, 2008, 01:03:00 PM
Don't say that around the Welsh. Wales is no more a colony than Scotland.
It is - it is behind Scotland in every respect (identity, legal system, government, economy) regarding independence...
Quote from: M forever on December 11, 2007, 09:54:58 PM
Wanderer must be kidding. A real pity because there is so much great Greek music, but that sounds like some really bad march from an operetta.
This is the point where I thank
M for saying what I was internally debating whether I should say or not. ;)
(Though it can be inspiring enough when sung by a chorus. Then again, almost
anything is, when sung by a chorus. :P)
My vote goes to France, hands down: although I also appreciate the German anthem, La Marseillaise is
special. :)
Quote from: Renfield on April 29, 2008, 01:26:28 PM
My vote goes to France, hands down: although I also appreciate the German anthem, La Marseillaise is special. :)
The opening theme of Mozart's 25th piano concerto, K503, seems reminiscent of La Marsellaise... (or should that be the other way round?)
is that a coincidence? ???
Quote from: B_cereus on April 29, 2008, 01:29:47 PM
The opening theme of Mozart's 25th piano concerto, K503, seems reminiscent of La Marsellaise...
is that a coincidence? ???
I think that was also mentioned previously, in this thread. Well, you never know. ;)
Quote from: Renfield on April 29, 2008, 01:32:30 PM
I think that was also mentioned previously, in this thread. Well, you never know. ;)
Oh yeah... so I did. Oops. Well, it's been a while!
I just looked at the Wikipedia entry on La Marseillaise:
"Mozart piano concerto n° 25 (KV 503), composed a few years before, was probably an inspiration for Rouget de Lisle, as the first 12 notes of the anthem are played at the end of the first movement allegro maestoso (16th-17th minutes)."
Hm. Interesting. :)
As well from a musical point of view as from a poetical point of view I always considered the national anthem of my own country, Denmark, to be the best of the ones, I know. We sing about our love to our country in a rather peaceful way, and the music is most suited to the words:
Der er et yndigt land,
det står med brede bøge
nær salten østerstrand
nær salten østerstrand.
Det bugter sig i bakke, dal,
det hedder gamle Danmark,
og det er Frejas sal,
og det er Frejas sal.
Der sad i fordums tid
de harniskklædte kæmper,
udhvilede fra strid
udhvilede fra strid.
Så drog de frem til fjenders mén,
nu hvile deres bene
bag højens bautasten,
bag højens bautasten.
Det land endnu er skønt,
thi blå sig søen bælter,
og løvet står så grønt
og løvet står så grønt.
Og ædle kvinder, skønne mø'r
og mænd og raske svende
bebo de danskes øer,
bebo de danskes øer.
Hil drot og fædreland!
Hil hver en danneborger,
som virker, hvad han kan
som virker, hvad han kan!
Vort gamle Danmark skal bestå,
så længe bøgen spejler
sin top i bølgen blå,
sin top i bølgen blå.
Vort gamle Danmark skal bestå,
så længe bøgen spejler
sin top i bølgen blå,
sin top i bølgen blå.
But I also think that the Swedish national anthem is rather good:
Du gamla, du fria, du fjällhöga Nord
du tysta, du glädjerika sköna.
Jag hälsar dig vänaste land uppå jord,
din sol, din himmel, dina ängder gröna.
and for the same reason.
And also I like very much the tune of the Dutch national anthem "Het Wilhelmus", even if the words are a bit outdated.
Quote from: Wurstwasser on April 29, 2008, 06:39:29 AM
I like the British "God save the queen" pretty much.
Particularly as done by the Sex Pistols. Me, I like the German one.
Quote from: premont on April 29, 2008, 02:33:43 PM
As well from a musical point of view as from a poetical point of view I always considered the national anthem of my own country, Denmark, to be the best of the ones, I know. We sing about our love to our country in a rather peaceful way, and the music is most suited to the words:
And also I like very much the tune of the Dutch national anthem "Het Wilhelmus", even if the words are a bit outdated.
I like the Danish anthem, too, with Oehlenschlaeger's words. But the Dutch anthem has more
gravitas, although the words are, as you say, a bit outdated. They keep the origins of the Dutch state alive, though (fighting for our independence against Spain).
Of course the Dutch, just because the text is outdated! :)
Quote from: Harry on April 30, 2008, 06:09:07 AM
Of course the Dutch, just because the text is outdated! :)
A very patriotic 9000th post, Harry!
Quote from: Jezetha on April 30, 2008, 06:19:55 AM
A very patriotic 9000th post, Harry!
Blimey yes, I just noticed that! :)
The Confederacy never had an official national anthem, this (rather than Dixie) would likely have been it:
God save the South, God save the South,
Her altars and firesides, God save the South!
Now that the war is nigh, now that we arm to die,
Chanting our battle cry, "Freedom or death!"
Chanting our battle cry, "Freedom or death!"
God be our shield, at home or afield,
Stretch Thine arm over us, strengthen and save.
What tho' they're three to one, forward each sire and son,
Strike till the war is won, strike to the grave!
Strike till the war is won, strike to the grave!
God made the right stronger than might,
Millions would trample us down in their pride.
Lay Thou their legions low, roll back the ruthless foe,
Let the proud spoiler know God's on our side.
Let the proud spoiler know God's on our side.
Hark honor's call, summoning all.
Summoning all of us unto the strife.
Sons of the South, awake! Strike till the brand shall break,
Strike for dear Honor's sake, Freedom and Life!
Strike for dear Honor's sake, Freedom and Life!
Rebels before, our fathers of yore.
Rebel's the righteous name Washington bore.
Why, then, be ours the same, the name that he snatched from shame,
Making it first in fame, foremost in war.
Making it first in fame, foremost in war.
War to the hilt, theirs be the guilt,
Who fetter the free man to ransom the slave.
Up then, and undismay'd, sheathe not the battle blade,
Till the last foe is laid low in the grave!
Till the last foe is laid low in the grave!
God save the South, God save the South,
Dry the dim eyes that now follow our path.
Still let the light feet rove safe through the orange grove,
Still keep the land we love safe from Thy wrath.
Still keep the land we love safe from Thy wrath.
God save the South, God save the South,
Her altars and firesides, God save the South!
For the great war is nigh, and we will win or die,
Chanting our battle cry, "Freedom or death!"
Chanting our battle cry, "Freedom or death!"
http://www.youtube.com/v/l-1TYlpSZrc
(good thing they lost - the tune is awful)
The Dutch anthem "wilhelmus" is my favourite one hands down. Of course I'm Dutch so hardly objective, but when I hear other anthems and read their lyrics, it's all about the Glorification of their Nations, while the Dutch one is a very simple tune repeated a dozen times telling the story from the viewpoint of William the Silent, a nobleman but not a hero, struggling against tyranny. It tells faith in God, mainaining loyalty to the Spanish king, the loss of a brother, the selling of his wealth and the regrett that the Netherlands have to suffer because of the Spaniards. It's just very down to earth, both the tune as the lyrics. And least it does not try to somehow glorify the Dutch people like so many anthems do for their own people.
Ps. I dont even like how the official "royal" version. It's a bit too slow and 'cheesy'.
France, then the Italian National Anthem.
Och aye the noo,etc... :o
Quote from: beer on June 19, 2008, 03:22:25 PMAnd least it does not try to somehow glorify the Dutch people like so many anthems do for their own people.
What do you think about this then? :)
QuoteO Lord, our God, arise,
Scatter thine enemies,
And make them fall:
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all.
I reckon this will soon be declared as illegal by the european community ;) OK, not an official anthem, but "God save the Queen"
Another vote for:
Auferstanden von Ruinen und der Zukunft zugewandt / Lass uns dir zum Guten dienen, Deutschland einig Vaterland.
When watching sport, I always supported the drug-addicted ladies from the former DDR. How I loved Kornelia Ender, Marita Koch, Karin Enke, Heike Drechsler, Gritt Breuer, Katrin Krabbe! They went, filled with all-natural goodies, for glory and gold, just to let me hear that beautiful tune again and again!
;D
BTW: Sarge, I liked your version, too! To give other members a reminder, his translation of the DDR anthem dates from december 14th 2007, reply no. 50.
Quote from: Marc on June 19, 2008, 09:49:18 PM
When watching sport, I always supported the drug-addicted ladies from the former DDR. How I loved Kornelia Ender, Marita Koch, Karin Enke, Heike Drechsler, Gritt Breuer, Katrin Krabbe! They went, filled with all-natural goodies, for glory and gold, just to let me hear that beautiful tune again and again!
You may think that's hilariously funny, but the reality is that there are some very sad fates behind all that, the way those athletes were treated and abused in the former Eastern Block.
Quote from: M forever on June 19, 2008, 11:52:48 PM
You may think that's hilariously funny, but the reality is that there are some very sad fates behind all that, the way those athletes were treated and abused in the former Eastern Block.
Nothing new about that.
In fact, there are some very sad stories and fates behind almost everything.
For instance: I think that you are hilariously funny, although the reality might be that there is a very sad story behind it, given the way you sometimes like to treat and abuse other members around here.
Well M, because you showed yourself in such a sensitive way, I gave it another thought.
Top sport is not healthy. Even in the so-called free world.
Tommy Simpson wasn't from the DDR.
Michael Rasmussen isn't, either.
Nor are Muhammad Ali and Marion Jones.
A lot of football (soccer) players remain injured for the rest of their lives (knees, ankles, heads, whatever). Van Basten, now manager, is happily jumping after the Dutch score a goal, but his ankle is ruined. He had to quit football before he turned 30.
Not to mention the bodybuilders, powerlifters, etc.
These people play dangerous risks to win their trophy's, golden medals or yellow jerseys, for their and for our sake. They feel satisfied and happy after victory, and we celebrate them, and ask for their autographs afterwards. Their anthems are played, and the sponsors pay them and want more victories.
It looks something like real life, doesn't it?
Attached: former shot-putting champion Heidi Krieger (first pic), now Andreas Krieger (second pic), thanks to the tons of pills she swallowed.
Certainly I enjoyed the DDR Anthem after her victories, as she probably did at the time, too. Silver, bronze and fourth place were not allowed to listen to their anthems. Some of these losers got deeply frustrated after continuing years of second places, because somewhere deep inside their and our heads we knew about the truth, but technology wasn't that accurate and nothing of dope usage could be proved.
In fact, a sad story for all of us: both sportsmen (and women! Sorry Stan: and women) and spectators.
:-\
But making fun of sad things should be allowed, IMO. It's also allowed to laugh or not to laugh about it. You won't hear me say that I'm the funniest man around. At least I'm certain I wouldn't get your vote.
But I won't write to the Monty Python team that it is NOT funny to make jokes about the problems of Stan, who wants to be called Loretta, just because people like him suffer a sad fate in real life.
Should we therefore forbid the broadcast of Life of Brian?
Maybe Heidi/Andreas Krieger has got some thoughts about that.
The DDR national Anthem is may favourite anthem, because it does not exist any more. I had relatives in the former DDR. DDR soldiers treated us as scum at the national border. Always. Sometimes we had to completely clear out the car.
Today they often say: Hey that was normal business as everywhere.
It was not. This was special "Klassenfeind" treatment. Go to antarctica, dear former IMs, Blockwarte and "verdiente Genossen", go with your SED successor party to Antarctica and build a new DDR there.
Quote from: Wurstwasser on June 20, 2008, 11:51:53 PM
The DDR national Anthem is may favourite anthem, because it does not exist any more. I had relatives in the former DDR. DDR soldiers treated us as scum at the national border. Always. Sometimes we had to completely clear out the car.
Today they often say: Hey that was normal business as everywhere.
It was not. This was special "Klassenfeind" treatment. Go to antarctica, dear former IMs, Blockwarte and "verdiente Genossen", go with your SED successor party to Antarctica and build a new DDR there.
Reminds me of a scene from
Die zweite Heimat, by Edgar Reitz. Western German film director Stefan Aufhauser (Frank Röth) has to pay a large amount of money for a minor incident of speeding.
I remember quotes like: "Scheissland!" (Aufhauser) and "Seien Sie nicht frech!" (DDR police officer).
In other words: Reitz was spot on!