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.

[Peter Pedant]

Italian
it is like an opera aria from Verdi
that is because - - - it was written by Verdi who wrote operas , wrote this in a coffee break

[sandyRoe]

The Spanish one has no lyrics.
My favourite would be the French.

[Jordyboy9]

https://youtu.be/4K1q9Ntcr5g

[Rosie29]

I love the Marseillaise. We learnt the words to it at school . I always sing along to it. The bits that I remember that is.

[Mozz71]

I get the feeling anyone not saying the British National Anthem is going to be called anti-British by someone.

Oh well. South Africa for me.

[ichkeria]

The Marseillaise certainly scores for bloodthirsty lyrics.
Uruguay is very jolly and either be there for me with Wales, Italy, Georgia and ... Czechia (and why not)

[ToraToraTora]

I like The US anthem.

[ToraToraTora]

I quite like the Russian one too.

[retrocop]

Amhran na bhFiann

[10ClarionSt]

The Welsh National Anthem. Stirs the blood!

[Tilly2]

I like the German one.

[tiggerblue10]

I quite like the Marseillaise intro to all you need is love.

For some bizarre reason I used to hum along to the USSR anthem during the Olympics in the 80s. I was a kid back then and had a lot to learn.

[ToraToraTora]

Yes the German anthem is pretty good too, based on an English Hymn of course.

[ToraToraTora]

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

[jno]

the British national anthem does suffer from having a verse about crushing rebellious Scots. It's more of an English anthem. Not as bloodthirsty as the Marseillaise, though.

The Ukrainian anthem has the best opening line: "Ukriane is not dead yet."

[Mamyalynne]

Another vote here for Uruguay.

[ToraToraTora]

.......9.......

[ichkeria]

Is God Save the Queen the only anthem whose tune is copied by another (Liechtenstein)?
I mean if you were going to choose a tune with that honour GSTQ would in all fairness not be the obvious choice

[david small]

The French Marseillaise makes me emotional. The German Anthem is also a favourite. Unfortunately our Anthem is rather a dirge.

[jno]

ichkeria, "My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty..." has the same tune, though Americans seem to sing it a bit faster.