|
Post by StolenThunder on May 13, 2002 15:02:58 GMT -5
So, they're pretty much pointless things, only really to be played at state functions and sporting events... But, how does yours go? Do you like it? Which anthems do you like...? Personally, the English national anthem is fine. Fairly impressive, and if I like it or not, it still makes me shiver a little with a little basic pride... Here's the, admittedly unimpressive - as it's a midi file, tune for those few that don't know it... If you want to post your anthem, find it on this page, here.
|
|
|
Post by Gnom on May 13, 2002 15:51:02 GMT -5
So, they're pretty much pointless things, only really to be played at state functions and sporting events... Personally, the English national anthem is fine. Fairly impressive, and if I like it or not, it still makes me shiver a little with a little basic pride... That's what they're meant to do, they don't need to have any more point than that. The Finnish national anthem [Maamme = Our Land] is an expression of love more than a defiant proclamation. There's a great Real Player version of it on-line here [scroll down to the bottom of the page], performed by one of the Finnish top choirs. Unfortunately there are English words for only two verses, it's at it's best in the last verse when the choir sings so very gently and... ahem. Well, t's there, and I like it very much. That fabulous choir almost brought a tear to my eye! Estonia, when it regained independence a few years back, adopted the same tune with different words. Dunno exactly why, but I've always thought it was a bit odd decision... Of other anthems, I actually like the English one. Pomp and circumstances!
|
|
|
Post by Aurian on May 13, 2002 17:02:04 GMT -5
Swedens national song is one of the more "shamefully" bad ones there are.
Not one mention of Sweden in it. We are hardly ever permitted to sing it either, since it is disrespectful to foreigners in our country ( stupidly, and very untrue debate that has raged for a loooong time)
The only time we like it is when our team wins.
|
|
|
Post by Elric3960 on May 14, 2002 2:46:25 GMT -5
"The Star-Spangled Banner" doesn't mention our country either. It's really a long question about the flag when it was standing defiantly atop Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, I believe. I've heard better patriotic tributes put to song. Our neighbors to the North sing a beautiful tribute to their country, for example.
I've always felt that "America the Beautiful" should have replaced TSSB. America is mentioned there twice for a start and it represents an idealized image of what this country was and could be again if we work at it. I don't know how to establish a link to it, but I'm sure that others who come after me will.
|
|
|
Post by Gnom on May 14, 2002 4:10:48 GMT -5
I fail to understand how singing a national anthem could be considered disrespectful for foreigners in a country... Unless you're sporting a pilot jacket, army surplus boots and shaven head while doing it, of course.
|
|
|
Post by Peter_Pevensie on May 14, 2002 6:20:44 GMT -5
I couldn't disagree more, Elric, with your opinion of The Star Spangled Banner, especially vis a vis America the Beautiful. This is a paradoxical stance for me, given that America the Beautiful is actually a hymn. But I feel that the image of the flag flying defiantly over our nation in the face of all who would see it cast down is a stirring one worthy of being called THE national song.
I will agree, however, that the Canadian anthem is a very nice one.
|
|
|
Post by Andorian_Incident on May 14, 2002 9:20:27 GMT -5
It's interesting that this thread is here today, because as Icame online this morning, I was feelinga bit patriotic, so I put in my American Pride CD (Yankee Doodle Boy is playing right now).
I will agree that the Canadian and English anthems are good, and they are the only other anthems I would recognize on sound besides our own.
Of course, there are few "American Patriotic" songs that are truly American. The Star Spangled Banner is actually song to an old English drinking song, and My Country 'Tis of Thee is song to God Save The Queen (my wife and Canadian sister-in-law were laughing about that last September when everyone was being patriotic and playing patriotic music--they were wondering why God Save the Queen would be playing when the TV was showing the American flag). And it seems all the former members of the British empire seem to have their own version of This Land is My Land.
Do I disagree with the use of the Star Spangled Banner as our national anthem? No, I don't. It may be a song about a battle and not mention our land, but face it, our country was born out of a war, and had to fight wars to maintain our freedom. And given our history and our love with our flag and what it stands for, it is appropriate. Are there other songs that may be better? Yes. America the Beautiful is one, God Bless America is another, and Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA is probably my favorite patriotic song.
|
|
|
Post by Peter_Pevensie on May 14, 2002 9:48:07 GMT -5
I'm curious about how an American atheist would feel about having God Bless America or God Bless the U.S.A. as our national anthem. Anyone care to comment?
After opening such a huge can of worms, Peter promptly drops the can opener and runs out of the thread. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Mentat Tir on May 14, 2002 11:28:20 GMT -5
I'm curious about how an American atheist would feel about having God Bless America or God Bless the U.S.A. as our national anthem. Anyone care to comment? It's a very tempting offer, but I'm going to pass. Never let it be said that I don't learn my lessons now and again. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Peter_Pevensie on May 14, 2002 12:32:19 GMT -5
^^^ Well, you don't exactly qualify as an American athiest either, do you?
|
|
|
Post by StolenThunder on May 14, 2002 13:22:19 GMT -5
It's interesting that this thread is here today. * StolenThunder whistles innocently and pretends that he's never heard of telepathy...* Still, as for Peter's question: I can answer this from the point of view of an English atheist. "God save the Queen" being our national anthem, of course... To me, it really doesn't matter. It is just there, as a part of our society. I suppose that I just accept it without much thought. Yes, certainly in its concept it shouldn't be there, we should pride ourselves on multi-religious communities, but people - en masse - let it pass...
|
|
|
Post by StolenThunder on May 14, 2002 13:25:31 GMT -5
On an aside, the British national anthem has some brilliantly contrived lines...
Confound their knavish tricks, Confuse their politics, On you our hopes we fix,
Thy choicest gifts in store, On her be pleased to pour,
;D
|
|
|
Post by Mentat Tir on May 14, 2002 14:03:30 GMT -5
^^^ Well, you don't exactly qualify as an American athiest either, do you? As Dohlman would say...tru dat
|
|
|
Post by Andorian_Incident on May 14, 2002 14:05:05 GMT -5
Well, I'm not an atheist.....but God has been a foundamental cornerstone of our society since our colonial period and we have the motto "In God We Trust", so having an anthem that mentions God is nothing new....and look at the anthems of our armed forces.
|
|
|
Post by Peter_Pevensie on May 15, 2002 5:15:17 GMT -5
...I suppose that I just accept it without much thought... So basically what you're saying is that you're a conformist atheist... ;D Well, I'm not an atheist.....but God has been a foundamental cornerstone of our society since our colonial period... So was slavery. Just because it's old doesn't make it moral, ethical, or "right..." Hmm... Anchors Aweigh is a drinking song, Off We Go into the Wild Blue Yonder glamorizes killing and dying, From the Halls of Montezuma emphasizes history and honor, and The Army Goes Rolling Along praises perseverance and fighting "for the right." What's your point? (Sorry, I don't know the words to Semper Paratus so I can't mention it intelligently...) I'm not trying to goad or bait anyone here...just trying to help people to find intellectually defensible reasons for believing what they believe.
|
|