POO: national anthem

Japan's is good because where most other countries' anthems build to a climax, it just sort of runs out of steam and fades out at the end. When it's played at a sporting event, you almost expect to hear crickets chirping at the end rather than cheering.

But Jacob is otm about the pre-war anthems. Really, Deutschland uber Alles would blow all the other current anthems away.

I kinda like that Russia took back the Soviet-era anthem (tho, again, with new words), it's great. I'd have to pick that one in a POO.

Talking of Germany, the DDR one was good, too:
*pretty, lyrical theme*
*MARTIAL BOMBAST*
*pretty, lyrical theme (reprise)*
with hardly any transition between the parts.

May the reign of the Emperor continue for a thousand, nay, eight thousand generations and for the eternity that it takes for small pebbles to grow into a great rock

ie BACKWARDS IN TIME! cool.

(on that olden ussr anthem tho, i piss and poo profusely & unapologetically, amen)

Sorry, I originally did mean the change in lyrics, but I just went back and actually READ the lyrics and, you know, they're not really that bad at all. I apologize for perpetuating the bad rep the first two verses got after WWII.

http://www.imagesoft.net/flags/anthems.html

http://www.thenationalanthems.net/

Equatorial Guinea's got it goin' on.

spencer - eat chocolate and choke.
(A JOKE!)
(not really?)

Hail, Hail East Germany,
Land of vine and grape,
Land where you'll regret
Any 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.

*whose* "patriotism", spencer??

ps.s ...as per "patriotism", i recall the (dunno-by-whom-ventured) bitter wording that (")when big nations are concerned, the term readily used is "patriotism" (=positive), whereas when small nations are referred to, "nationalism"(=negative!) is the handy word (")

my favorite US anthem is easily "dixie." there's something so hopeful, casual, even carefree about it that it's kind of wrenching to realize it was associated with such a dismal cause.

Why don't we use that second verse in the English version? It actually says something about the country.

I've always thought the French version sounds better. It's certainly more anthemic though it's definitely dated and questionable in some of its claims ("des plus brillants exploits"? Like, uh, ....).

national anthem of Canada. It was proclaimed the official national anthem on July 1, 1980. God Save the Queen (q.v.) remains the royal anthem of Canada.

The music, written by Calixa Lavallée (1842–91), a concert pianist and native of Verchères, Que., was commissioned in 1880 on the occasion of a visit to Quebec by Lord Lorne (later Duke of Argyll), then governor-general of Canada, and his wife, Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Louise. The original French lyrics were written by Sir Adolphe Basile Routhier (1839–1920), later chief justice of Quebec. The English lyrics (which are not a translation or rendering of the French) were written in 1908 by Robert Stanley Weir (1856–1926), a lawyer and recorder of Montreal.

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot-love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free;
And stand on guard, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
O Canada! Glorious and free!
We stand on guard, we stand
on guard for thee,
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
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!
Thou land of hope for all who toil!
Thou True North strong and free!
O Canada! Glorious and free! [etc.]
O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies
May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise
To keep thee steadfast thro' the years
From East to Western sea,
Our own beloved native land,
Our True North strong and free!
O Canada! Glorious and free! [etc.]
Ruler supreme, Who hearest humble pray'r,
Hold our Dominion in Thy loving care.
Help us to find, O God, in Thee
A lasting rich reward,
As waiting for the better day,
We ever stand on guard.
O Canada! Glorious and free! [etc.]

O 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.
Sous l'oeil de Dieu, près du fleuve géant,
Le Canadien grandit en espérant.
Il est né d'une race fière,
Béni fut son berceau.
Le ciel a marqué sa carrière
Dans ce monde nouveau.
Toujours guidé par sa lumière,
Il gardera l'honneur de son drapeau,
Il gardera l'honneur de son drapeau.
De son patron, précurseur du vrai Dieu,
Il porte au front l'auréole de feu.
Ennemi de la tyrannie
Mais plein de loyauté,
Il veut garder dans l'harmonie,
Sa fière liberté;
Et par l'effort de son génie,
Sur notre sol asseoir la vérité,
Sur notre sol asseoir la vérité.
Amour sacré du trône et de l'autel,
Remplis nos coeurs de ton souffle immortel!
Parmi les races étrangères,
Notre guide est la loi:
Sachons être un peuple de frères,
Sous le joug de la foi.
Et répétons, comme nos pères,
Le cri vainqueur: “Pour le Christ et le roi,”
Le cri vainqueur: “Pour le Christ et le roi.”

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/anthem.html

If only we could have Jerusalem instead - those lyrics kick ass. Also more people know the words.

I like the American one they play in the film "The Dish"
(the theme to Hawaii Five-O)

Made doubly ridiculous for me by the fact that the first few notes sound exactly like a Norwegian (children's) christmas song (for Geir: "På låven sitter nissen med sin julegrøt").

This version of the commie anthem is so rousing that I momentarily forget I'm a proud American and get misty-eyed with love for the motherland. I don't know what the hell was t\'\'t was whining about upthread, USSR Anthem 4-EVER.

However, if Australia wises up and makes "Waltzing Matilda" its anthem we will have to re-evaluate.

Revive!

Check out the last verse of the Italian national anthem:

Italian brothers,
Italy has arisen,
With Scipio's helmet
binding her head.
Where is Victory?
Let her bow down,
For God has made her
The slave of Rome.
Let us gather in legions,
Ready to die!
Italy has called!

We for centuries
Have been downtrodden and derided,
Because we are not a people,
Because we are divided.
Let one flag, one hope
Bring us together;
The hour has struck
For us to join forces.
Let us gather in legions,
Ready to die!
Italy has called!

Let us unite and love one another;
For union and love
Reveal to peoples
The way of the Lord
Let us swear to free
Our native soil;
If we are united under God,
Who can conquer us?
Let us gather in legions,
Ready to die!
Italy has called!

From the Alps to Sicily,
Everywhere it is Legnano;
Every man has the heart
and hand of Ferruccio.
The children of Italy
Are all called Balilla;
Every trumpet blast
Sounds the (Sicilian) Vespers.
Let us gather in legions,
Ready to die!
Italy has called!

Mercenary swords
Are feeble reeds,
And the Austrian eagle
Has lost his plumes.
This eagle that drunk the blood
of Italy and Poland,
togheter with the Cossack,
But this has burned his gut.
Let us gather in legions,
Ready to die!
Italy has called!

...

It's a top tune as well.

We had a geography computer game in public school way back in the early 90s, and though I can't remember the tune, I remember endless amusement among myself and my classmates (we were gifted, and thus, geeks) because of the Qatar theme song. Now I have to google it when I get home tonight to hear it again!

...theme song, national anthem.. whatever.

The last verse of the Italy one is too good to be true.

French version of Oh Canada is awesome.

easily france

though i only recognise about six of them

Aside from the fact that Francis Scott Key poached the melody, which is nearly impossible to sing...

Here's what I came up with searching for the original lyrics which I think are pretty damn funny:

Verse
To Anacreon in Heav'n where sat in full Glee,
A few Sons of Harmony sent a Petition,
The He their Inspirer and Patron wou'd be,
when this Answer arriv'd from the Jolly Old Grecian
"Voice Fiddle and Flute no longer be mute
I'll lend you my Name and inspire you to boot
And besides I'll instruct you like me to Intwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine

Chorus
And besides I'll instruct you like me to intwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.

Verse
The news through Olympus immediately flew;
When Old Thunder pretended to give himself Airs
If these Mortals are suffer'd their Scheme to pursue,
The Devil a Goddess will stay above Stairs.
"Hark already they cry,
"In Transports of Joy
"Away to the Sons of Anacreon we'll fly
"And there with good Fellows we'll learn to intwine
"The Myrtle of Venus and Bacchus's Vine.

Verse
"The Yellow Hair'd God and his nine fusty Maids,
"The Helicon's Banks will incontinent flee
"Idalia will boast but of tenantless Shades
"And the bi forked Hill a mere Desert will be
"My Thunder no fear on't,
"Shall soon do its Errand,
"And dam'me. I'll swinge the Ringleaders I warrant,
"I'll trim the young Dogs for thus daring to twine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.

Verse
Apollo rose up, and said, "Pr'ythee ne'er quarrel,
"Good King of the Gods with my Votries below:
"Your Thunder is useless then shewing his Laurel,
Cry'd. "Sic evitabile Fulmen, you know.
"Then over each Head
"My Laurels I'll spread
"So my Sons from your Crackers no Mischief shall dread,
"Whilst snug in their Club Room they Jovially twine
"The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine

Verse
Next Momus got up with his risible Phiz,
And swore with Apollo he'd chearfull Join
"The full Tide of Harmony still shall be his,
"But the Song and the Catch, the Laugh shall be mine
"Then Jove he not Jealous
"Of these honest Fellows,
Cry'd Jove "We relent since the Truth you now tell us;
"And swear by Old Styx, that they long shal intwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.

Verse
Ye Sons of Anacreon then Join Hand in Hand;
Preserve Unanimity Friendship and Love.
'Tis your's to support what's so happily plann'd;
You've the Sanction of Gods and the Fiat of Jove.
While thus we agree,
Our Toast let it be.
May our Club flourish happy united and Free.
And long may the Sons of Anacreon intwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.

well if you can find a nation for this anthem, i might consider changing my citizenship, yo.

I think it should be considered unpatriotic not to sing the second-fourth verses of The Star Spangled Banner (ie THE WHOLE SONG...it would probably take eight-ten minutes).

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists 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! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

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!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory 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!

He's definitely running out of steam in that second to last couplet there.

He changes the motto, even, so it will have enough syllables.

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists 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?
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:

***

These lines wld make lyrics for a decent doom metal song

The Indian anthem might be the only one I like with any enthusiasm. It's actually kind of fun and energetic, rhythmically. At least when people do it fast rather than slow.

http://www.tourindia.com/htm/jgmvo.wav

sorry but i would not want a dead can dance song for my anthem

iuh

The South African one is great too. Surely the only National anthem that is meant to be sung in harmony?

Before I remembered what the anagram stood for I thought the question was who wrote the best poo national anthem.

was gonna nominate Mr. Hankey, or Malignancy's "Bag"....

"Ey Iran" is in the phrygian mode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBr7IUiWQG0

Love the lyrics of the Spanish anthem

The last word on this is surely this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9nnnM-__JQ

growing up in san diego i used to hear the mexican national anthem quite often since a lot of radio stations there transmit from towers on the tijuana hills and are thereby required by law to broadcast it every night at midnight. it's a great anthem. does not skimp on the tuba whatsoever.

The Mexican National Anthem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGbiWnoWTto

Yo se bien que estoy afuera
Pero el dia que yo me muera
Se que tendras que llorar.
(Llorar y llorar, llorar y llorar)
Diras que no me quisistes
Pero vas a estar muy triste
Y asi te me vas a quedar.

Coro:
Con dinero y sin dinero.
Yo hago siempre lo que quiero.
Y mi palabra es la ley.
No tengo trono ni reina.
Ni nadie que me comprenda.
Pero sigo siendo el rey.

Una piedra en el camino
Me enseno que mi destino.
Era rodar y rodar.
(Rodar y rodar, rodar y rodar)
Tambien me dijo un arriero
Que no hay que llegar primero
Pero hay que saber llegar.

ROUGH TRANSLATION

I know well that I'm out
But the day that I die
I know you are going to cry
You'll say that you didn't love me
But I know that you are going to be very sad
And that's the way you are going to remain

With or without money
I do whatever I want
And my word is law
I don't have throne or queen
or anybody who understands me
But I'm still the king

A simple stone on the road
Taught me that my fate
was to roll and to roll
Also a cowboy told me
You don't have to arrive first
but to know how to arrive

I know well that I'm out
But the day that I die
I know you are going to cry
You'll say that you didn't love me
But I know that you are going to be very sad
And that's the way you are going to remain

With or without money
I do whatever I want
And my word is law
I don't have throne or queen
or anybody who understands me
But I'm still the king

A simple stone on the road
Taught me that my fate
was to roll and to roll
Also a cowboy told me
You don't have to arrive first
but to know how to arrive

loving the idea of these being the official lyrics to the national anthem

la marseillaise

xxpost- That is NOT the Mexican national anthem! (Although it would be cool if it were, the anthem is so belligerent)

this Japanese national anthem rendition is p awesome:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K-5RkFEagc

Nepal's national anthem is a...sea shanty? Absolutely incredible stuff from the landlocked nation, definitely my new OPO. Have a MIDI version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0GYEj_jhWY

A few years ago I was travelling and bored and started listening to all the national anthems and ranking them. Didn’t finish, only got halfway through, but Bangladesh was the leader by a mile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVjbVPFeo2o

Djibouti’s was the worst

I think I liked Eritrea’s lyrics the best

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9nnnM-__JQ