Best National Anthem.

[Atheist]

Has anyone got a favourite national anthem? Preferably a favourite based on musical or literary merit rather than nationalistic ideas. My favourite is the Marseillaise; like a Roy Orbison song, the melody develops without repetition, leading to a musical climax.

[jno]

david small, it shouldn't be a dirge, it's just played like one. It's a waltz. It should be much sprightlier.

[Atheist]

I hadn't really thought about the meaning of the words; I was just going with the melody. Most of the anthems mentioned here I don't know. What's the German one? (not Beethoven, is it?)

[ichkeria]

The German anthem is to an Austrian tune (composed by Joseph Haydn) which was adopted by John Newton’s hymn

[jno]

that's the thing, Atheist, God Save the Queen has a good melody but they always play it as if they're following her coffin.

[Mozz71]

//I think I'll start the count down......10....//

Nah, it's no fun if you're expecting it.

[david small]

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit /
Für das deutsche Vaterland! /
Danach lasst uns alle streben /
Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand! /
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit /
Sind des Glückes Unterpfand; /
Blüh’ im Glanze dieses Glückes, /
Blühe, deutsches Vaterland! /

English translation:

Unity and justice and freedom /
For the German fatherland! /
Towards these let us all strive /
Brotherly with heart and hand! /
Unity and justice and freedom /
Are the foundation of happiness; /
Flourish in the radiance of this happiness, /
Flourish, German fatherland!

[10ClarionSt]

The UK anthem isn't a national one, though is it? It's to the monarch.

[Mozz71]

//that's the thing, Atheist, God Save the Queen has a good melody but they always play it as if they're following her coffin.//

I always preferred Holiday In The Sun myself.

[Atheist]

I do think that the British NA is definitely an uninspiring dirge.

[Atheist]

And the UK NA is hardly 3/4 time. It tries to be but it falls into the English pitfall of having no sense of rhythm, and it loses the beat regularly - introduces extra beats while the congregation pauses for breath.

[jno]

well, there's always the Billy Connolly option, the theme from The Archers.

[jno]

just tell the bands they'll be fined for every second over one minute they take, that'll learn them.

[david small]

That I like jno

[rowanwitch]

I have to say I like flower of Scotland, Advance Australia Fair and the South African anthem. Would much prefer uk vow to thee my country for the UK and Jerusalem for home internationals

[Mozz71]

Jerusalem does work well for England, but I always preferred Land of Hope and Glory.

[Stephen_G]

The Italian anthem, just for the melody. Might have had a lot to do with Valentino Rossi winning a lot of Moto GP races, back in the day.

[DTCwordfan]

the american one isn't 'singable' for most folk.

My favourite of GSQ, the Benjamin Britten one sung at the L.Night of the Proms....that should be the main 'tune' -

[DTCwordfan]

Note Ian Botham on trombone right at the end!

[Ken4155]

Been to a few Engerland football games and I always thought our anthem was either, 'Come And Have A Go If You Think You're Hard Enough' or 'You're Gonna Get Your ******* Heads Kicked In'.

[knowmurf]

How about flower of Scotland.