Best National Anthem?

[iwasthere1972]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

God Save the Queen.

That's the one that would always get my off my seat.
































That's in the days before we had remote control. Now I can just press mute from my armchair.

[hfc rd]

Welsh one is good and I've always liked the Portuguese one too. Got a good tune to it. The South Americans are good as well. Brazil and Chile especially.

[Bristolhibby]

Just wondered what the old East German one was like.

http://youtu.be/ftXCYxB5fgc

Pretty good I'd say.

J

[JohnStephens91]

Flower of Scotland is awful. I really like the Star-Spangled Banner, celebrates a nation as a whole united, rather than singing about defeating others in battle which isn't what an anthem should be about.

[Jonnyboy]

Italian

Spanish

French

Welsh rugby

[Bishop Hibee]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

That's the one that would always get my off my seat.
































That's in the days before we had remote control. Now I can just press mute from my armchair.

One of my uncle's tells the story of getting the belt at school for singing "God save my Auntie Jean. she makes the best ice-cream". Teacher didn't believe he thought they were the lyrics as that's what his dad sang! Lets just say the paternal side of my family aren't royalists.

[--------]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Just for you scouse.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...69411363,d.ZGU

Sounds a lot better than the version about crushing 'rebellious Scots' and all that.

Probably that's the version Scouse sings.


I thought England was going for "Jerusalem" or "Land of Hope and Glory" these days as their 'own' song.

"God Save the Queen/King" isn't really a national anthem nowadays - it's a royal anthem celebrating the institution of the monarchy in the person of the ruling sovereign.

The only 2 verses sung nowadays refer to the sovereign, not to the nation; you'd really have to go back to the 5-verse version from about 1900 before you could call it a 'national' anthem, and if there's one thing more scunnering than singing 2 verses of the Betty-Windsor-Lied it's the prospect of singing 5 or 6.

For the edification of our patriotic brethren of the net, the full version -

God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save The Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save The Queen.

Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign;
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save The Queen!

God bless our native land,
May heaven's protective hand
Still guard our shore;
May peace her power extend,
Foe be transformed to friend,
And Britain's power depend
On war no more.

May just and righteous laws
Uphold the public cause,
And bless our isle.
Home of the brave and free,
Fair land of liberty,
We pray that still on thee
Kind heaven may smile.

And not this land alone -
But be thy mercies known
From shore to shore.
Lord, make the nations see
That men should brothers be,
And from one family
The wide world o'er.

I'm not sure where you stick THESE verses which were in the original - I know where I'd suggest the patriots might stick them, but that would be uncouth and I wouldn't wish to be uncouth about such a sensitive subject.

Lord, grant that Marshal Wade,
May by thy mighty aid,
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush,
And like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush,
God save The King.

From France and Pretender
Great Britain defend her,
Foes let them fall;
From foreign slavery,
Priests and their knavery,
And Popish Reverie,
God save us all.

My apologies for the length of this post. Alba gu Bragh!

[lord bunberry]

I liked Scotland the brave

[Scouse Hibee]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I see you've got a few bites SH, it's been a while! :-)

I really don't know what you're talking about

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

I'll need to stop spoiling your fun! ;-)

[--------]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I liked Scotland the brave

Hamish Henderson's "Freedom Come Aa Ye".

Great man, great song, speaks of Scotland as she might be.

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

[(((Fergus)))]

Most anthems are very pompous, usually in inverse proportion to the nation's performance in actual war.

Two that take a different tack IMO:

[(((Fergus)))]

Welsh anthem is awesome too.

[Hibernia Na Eir]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

**** the Germans, long live the Queen and our national anthem.

pleasing to find someone who enjoys their Nat Anthem!

[Sumner]

Not that "Flower of Scotland" dirge anyway

[ekhibee]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Out of the WC teams Algeria's is my favourite. I would change Scotland's to Highland Cathedral.

Totally agree about Highland Cathedral, but my favourites are Wales, South Africa and Spain in that order.

[weonlywon6-2]

Not a runrig fan but loch lomond live is brilliant,something similar for scotland would be good

[Scorrie]

Dutch anthem for me. Awesome when the Dutch fans start singing it during their matches.

[blackpoolhibs]

Never understood why England sing the British national anthem?

[Scouse Hibee]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Never understood why England sing the British national anthem?

Because we're proud to be British and we don't have our own one to sing.

[Pretty Boy]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Never understood why England sing the British national anthem?

Not always the case.

The England (and Wales) Cricket team use Jerusalen as does the Commonwealth games team, they previously used Land of Hope and Glory.

God Save the Queen isn't an official national anthem, as with most British traditions it has been established through use as opposed to any law or constitution. It was originally hoped that all the home nations would use God Save the Queen but Scotland and Wales, somewhat understandably, objected. I always assumed Englands football and rugby teams used it because the English have, generally speaking, been more comfortable with the notion of Britishness than the Scots and Welsh. It wouldn't at all surprise me, given the increase in English nationalism in recent years, to see a seperate English anthem used more often.

[blackpoolhibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Because we're proud to be British and we don't have our own one to sing.

When you are part of a British team then by all means sing it, but if your lot are too lazy to get your own anthem, don't be surprised its not universally welcomed.

[blackpoolhibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Not always the case.

The England (and Wales) Cricket team use Jerusalen as does the Commonwealth games team, they previously used Land of Hope and Glory.

God Save the Queen isn't an official national anthem, as with most British traditions it has been established through use as opposed to any law or constitution. It was originally hoped that all the home nations would use God Save the Queen but Scotland and Wales, somewhat understandably, objected. I always assumed Englands football and rugby teams used it because the English have, generally speaking, been more comfortable with the notion of Britishness than the Scots and Welsh. It wouldn't at all surprise me, given the increase in English nationalism in recent years, to see a seperate English anthem used more often.

I did know this, and should have put the English football team.

[Hibbyradge]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Not a runrig fan but loch lomond live is brilliant,something similar for scotland would be good

That would really be a Loch Lomond anthem though, hardly national.

I can already imagine the protests from folk who prefer Loch Ness, never mind the other 31459 lochs in Scotland!

[Pretty Boy]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I did know this, and should have put the English football team.

I've always found the concept of Northern Ireland using GSTQ more puzzling.

In a country where 41% of the population are very likely to be strongly opposed to the song it seems an odd choice.

The current population split is about 46% Protestant and 41% Catholic and the Catholic population is growing at a faster rate it seems this issue might well become increasingly contentious. It's certainly not hard to see why the nationalist community find it hard to support the Northern Irish football team.

Always thought the Irish rugby team have it spot on using Irelands Call as opposed to The Soldiers Song. Or better still Barry McGuigan walking to the ring with the white peace flag and having Danny Boy sung. Sure thats what the Northen Irish Commonwealth team use as well.

[Scouse Hibee]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

When you are part of a British team then by all means sing it, but if your lot are too lazy to get your own anthem, don't be surprised its not universally welcomed.

I'm not in the least bit surprised.

[NAE NOOKIE]

Italian anthem for me ..... I turn up the telly when it comes on. The French and Russian ones are good and the Welsh anthem is brilliant.

I agree with those who think Flower of Scotland is a bloody dirge. Not only that, they key its in doesn't suit the collective Scottish singing voice either IMO.

This should be our anthem: I know it mentions King Edward too, but the sentiment is much more than an anti English rant. All we need to change is the words to Scotand's 'folk and law' from King and law.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=CKT7qxk9-pw

[blackpoolhibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I've always found the concept of Northern Ireland using GSTQ more puzzling.

In a country where 41% of the population are very likely to be strongly opposed to the song it seems an odd choice.

The current population split is about 46% Protestant and 41% Catholic and the Catholic population is growing at a faster rate it seems this issue might well become increasingly contentious. It's certainly not hard to see why the nationalist community find it hard to support the Northern Irish football team.

Always thought the Irish rugby team have it spot on using Irelands Call as opposed to The Soldiers Song. Or better still Barry McGuigan walking to the ring with the white peace flag and having Danny Boy sung. Sure thats what the Northen Irish Commonwealth team use as well.

Probably more to do with clinging on to their Britishness I'd imagine, and similarly with the English football team. Quite why they'd want to sing a song for their country thats also the other nations national anthem is quite funny in my opinion. Something i always rip the pish out of my mates when watching an England game.

Next time you are with an English person during an England match, ask them why are they singing it, when its scotlands national anthem too. The reactions are funny.

[Peevemor]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Not always the case.

The England (and Wales) Cricket team use Jerusalen as does the Commonwealth games team, they previously used Land of Hope and Glory.

God Save the Queen isn't an official national anthem, as with most British traditions it has been established through use as opposed to any law or constitution. It was originally hoped that all the home nations would use God Save the Queen but Scotland and Wales, somewhat understandably, objected. I always assumed Englands football and rugby teams used it because the English have, generally speaking, been more comfortable with the notion of Britishness than the Scots and Welsh. It wouldn't at all surprise me, given the increase in English nationalism in recent years, to see a seperate English anthem used more often.

GSTQ was used by all the home nations, for all sports, up until aboiut 30 years ago.

For me, FOS focuses too much on one ancient battle and I like to think that we're biiger than that. With that said, it is onhe of the most respected and envied anthems in the worlds - do a youtube search for "scottish anthem" in any language you can muster and you'll see the reactions/comments (eg. hymne écossais in French).

The biggest problem woth FOS in Scotland is that people want change for the sake of it. I'm pretty sure that if Scotland the Brave or Highland Cathedral were adopted, we'd quickly get fed up with them too (having played bagpipes for almost 40 years, I'd like to erase all 3 from the collective memory.

Scots wha hae was a common choice before FOS but is again about an old battle. Freedom Come All Ye is a fantastic song (par for the course for Hamish Henderson) but I've always preferred A man's a man - the sentiment is superb although people will always have a problem with Burns' language.

So for me there can be only one solution. No problems with learning or remembering the words and it's anything but a dirge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BktLpmDNwt0

[NAE NOOKIE]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Because we're proud to be British and we don't have our own one to sing.

What about I vow to thee my country or Jerusalem .. both cracking tunes. Kind of English middle / upper class and hijacked by the Women's institute mind.