what's your favorite national anthem?

[max]

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!

[M forever]

But why do they have a national anthem? Wales is not a nation, it's an English colony.

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

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)

[Bunny]

I love the music of the Israeli national anthem, an arrangement of a familiar Moldavian folk tune.

And, of course, The Star Spangled Banner.

[B_cereus]

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 

[Bunny]

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.

[B_cereus]

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).

[Lethevich]

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...

[Renfield]

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. )


My vote goes to France, hands down: although I also appreciate the German anthem, La Marseillaise is special.

[B_cereus]

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? 

[Renfield]

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.

[B_cereus]

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.

[prémont]

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.

[The new erato]

I like the British "God save the queen" pretty much.

Particularly as done by the Sex Pistols. Me, I like the German one.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

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).

[Harry]

Of course the Dutch, just because the text is outdated!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Of course the Dutch, just because the text is outdated!

A very patriotic 9000th post, Harry!

[Harry]

A very patriotic 9000th post, Harry!

Blimey yes, I just noticed that!

[bwv 1080]

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)

[beer]

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'.