National Anthems

[evoman3957]

On a slightly lighter topical note, Switzerland are apparently conducting a year long survey; with a few to changing their National Anthem. Are you happy with the National Anthem of your Country ?, or would you also like to change it ?. Do you think it serves to promote patriotism ? considering we hear it played fairly regularly during our lifetimes, or do you stand up ( not literally of course ) as a kind of automatic response; when you hear it played ?.

[023mjc]

I'd like to change ours. While I am not apposed to having a royal family I do think the national anthem should be about more than the longevity of one woman. Of course like most people I don't know the content of all the verses, but the bit we, and others hear regularly is all about God saving the queen. I'd like the rest of us to be saved too.

"long to reign over us" - she's already done that.

For a long time my choice would have been Land of hope and glory, but not too sure about the glory bit these days.

I like the star spangled banner. Patriotic, and about everyone.

[evoman3957]

Yes, the Star Spangled Banner does seem to evoke a patriotic fervour.  The USA is somewhat of an enigma, the whole Country is full of peoples from all over the World, who fight as one nation under the same flag.  A situation that many other divided Countries would love to have no doubt.  I'm not naive, so I know there's a side to the USA that we don't see publicised every day of the week; but on the whole, they all call themselves American and stand together to protect their Country. As for Me, I'm a bit bias; so the Anthem from the land of MY fathers, does it for Me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtCOprRDUm8

[rottuk7]

I think we should nick the Russian anthem.

Failing that, I go with Billy Connoly, and vote for the theme from The Archers!!

[vamo48]

Yes, would love to change it; the tune is an uninspiring dirge and has an anti-Scottish verse included in it.  I much prefer the Marseillaise.

[saasher2012]

Oh yes! So it has , you would think in this age of the United Kingdom & political correctness that alone would be a reason to change it,
I loved Billy Connelly piece on the Archers& the vision that it conjured up of the Olympics , so for that reason alone I'd second the Archers. lol.

[joe_bloggs*]

Yes i like The Marseillaise,the Beatles wrote some good stuff

[papko]

I Always thought "Men of Harlech " was the Welsh national anthem 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1csr0dxalpI

[evoman3957]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hen_Wlad_Fy_Nhadau                 

[astrologica]

Ah......... Mae Hen Wlad........my own National Anthem! There is nothing like it, it brings tears to the eyes.

[bankhaunter]

All good national anthems should stir the emotions, a really good one stirs the hearts of even those not citizens of the country.

[5129frederick]

AMEN to that one!  Why should God save OUR Gracious Queen - never mind about the rest of us, we're just fodder!  Keep her victorious and make her glorious?  At least in America they refer to the land of the FREE!