Choose a National Anthem that isn't yours. What can you say about it?

Magna-Carta

Magna-Carta

Senior Member
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Choose a national anthem that is not your own. What can you say about it?

Multiple individuals can choose the same anthem.



Feel free to fact check and let me know if I have anything wrong.

John Stafford Smith (1750-1836)

Was an English composer and musician. He is known for composing the music for a song called 'The Anacreontic Song.' This song, composed in the late 18th century, was originally a gentlemen's club anthem for the Anacreontic Society in London.

Smith was born in Gloucester, England, on March 30, 1750. He came from a musical family and showed a talent for music at an early age. He began his career as a chorister at the Chapel Royal and later studied music in London. Smith also wrote various works, including symphonies, concertos, and vocal music.

The catchy melody of 'The Anacreontic Song' caught the attention of Francis Scott Key, who wrote the lyrics to fit the tune during the War of 1812. This song later became the melody for the American national anthem, 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'


The US National Anthem played on a UK Cathedral Organ. Gloucester Cathedral.



Star Spangled Banner played at Buckingham Palace. Sept 13, 2001

 

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Usually, I can tell if it's sung in a foreign language that it isn't mine, but beyond that, I can hardly tell one from another.
 

An early American Patriotic Song, or was it an earlier de facto American Anthem?

Does the tune sound familiar? God Save The King!

"My Country Tis of Thee"​

 
Magna-Carta said:
An early American Patriotic Song, or was it an earlier de facto American Anthem?

Does the tune sound familiar? God Save The King!

"My Country Tis of Thee"​

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The words and tune of "God Save the King" are anonymous, and date back to the seventeenth century. The song was first publicly performed in London in 1745, it came to be known as the National Anthem at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and what an awful song it is. It has nothing to do with our country, it's nothing more than a boot licking, sycophantic, dirge.
A much more celebratory song would be:
 
horseless carriage said:
The words and tune of "God Save the King" are anonymous, and date back to the seventeenth century. The song was first publicly performed in London in 1745, it came to be known as the National Anthem at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and what an awful song it is. It has nothing to do with our country, it's nothing more than a boot licking, sycophantic, dirge.
A much more celebratory song would be:
Click to expand...

LOL... Well, that's one way of putting it. I'm not sure I would entity agree. But anyway, could this be a candidate for an 'English' National Anthem? I'm sure you have an opinion:


Or this?

 
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The Russian national anthem is particularly stirring. Apparently there are new lyrics but the same melody is used. It's not any more "singable" than the U.S. anthem, but it gets the blood moving.

I used to have to listen to the Turkish national anthem 365 mornings a year. I can sing it in my sleep. It's not on my top-10 best hits list; it's rather heavy on the military elements. Boom-boom-thump-thump-a-boom.
 
jujube said:
The Russian national anthem is particularly stirring. Apparently there are new lyrics but the same melody is used. It's not any more "singable" than the U.S. anthem, but it gets the blood moving.

I used to have to listen to the Turkish national anthem 365 mornings a year. I can sing it in my sleep. It's not on my top-10 best hits list; it's rather heavy on the military elements. Boom-boom-thump-thump-a-boom.
Click to expand...
In the movie Hunt for Red October, Russian submariners sing the Russian National Anthem. Shortly after the common sailors begin, it transcends from them to a full blown men's choir sung by professionals. It is stirring, and I remember the melody well, but of course don't know what they are singing. But it is one powerful song.
 
horseless carriage said:
The words and tune of "God Save the King" are anonymous, and date back to the seventeenth century. The song was first publicly performed in London in 1745, it came to be known as the National Anthem at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and what an awful song it is. It has nothing to do with our country, it's nothing more than a boot licking, sycophantic, dirge.
A much more celebratory song would be:
Click to expand...
Was not expecting that opera type voice coming from that man.

Ive always liked America’s national anthem. It’s actually a nice song especially for an anthem.
Here is Whitney Houston singing it.
 
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Warrigal said:
I like the melody of the Marseillaise but the words are rather off putting.

Actually, I reckon most national anthems would be better if there were no words.
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You took the words right out of my mouth, @Warrigal . Musically the Marseillaise is my favourite, but the lyrics are bloodthirsty and the mention of "sang pur" brings up horrible memories! I wish the French would change them to reflect modern sensibilities!
 
chic said:
I like the Marseillaise best because it's so inspiring. It's a deeply meaningful song.
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Arise, children of the Fatherland
Our day of glory has arrived
Against us the bloody flag of tyranny
is raised; the bloody flag is raised.
Do you hear, in the countryside
The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
They’re coming right into your arms
To cut the throats of your sons, your comrades!

To arms, citizens!
Form your battalions
Let’s march, let’s march
That their impure blood
Should water our fields.
 
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