National Anthems

[Caribeing]

The Commonwealth Games has given us some great Anthems, I thought Jerusalem was very appropriate for England and although I wasn't too keen on Flower Of Scotland at least everyone could sing along, bit of controversy from Northern Ireland boxer Paddy Barnes and Danny Boy as the Anthem, they are all just symbols of the countries involved and should be applauded, pity we can't all be as patriotic as the USA!

[Pete65]

Why is England's anthem "Jerusalem" appropriate?
What has Jerusalem to do with England?
I thought it was "Land of Hope and Glory".
Paddy Barnes was quite right.
Danny Boy is not his anthem.

[DTCwordfan]

Jerusalem was voted, by a country mile, as the appropriate anthem for England, Love Divine all loves excelling, I vow to thee my Country and Land of Hope and Glory being the other candidates for we Anglo-Saxons.

Personally, I would like to see 'God Save the Queen' when sung like this - it's a beautiful and moving version of what may be seen as a rather dreary tune.

[THECORBYLOON]

Londonderry Air is the anthem that the Ulster team use in the Commonwealth Games. According to one site, he was expecting the anthem of a country that is not even in the Commonwealth so that was never going to happen. If he feels an allegiance to a country outwith the UK then he did not have to compete.

[Pete65]

Ulster were not competing at the Games.
Northern Ireland were.
Two separate entities.
When Barnes boxes in International competitions, he boxes for Ireland.
In boxing, and rugby football, there is one united Irish team.
With one anthem, which is not the Derry Air.
Paddy was right. The anthem played was not one he recognised, rightly or wrongly.

[THECORBYLOON]

The Ulster team uses the flag bearing the Red Hand of Ulster when strictly speaking it should be the Union Flag. Why would a non-Commonwealth anthem be played at the Games?

[Pete65]

Which Ulster team? Rugby?
The Province of Ulster is not a member of the Commonwealth.
Northern Ireland are.
There is a difference.

[venator]

Back to the OP - why do so many new countries' anthems sound like composed by some English music student?

Many countries have a rich musical tradition. instruments, music.

so why do they all sound like Bogsworth Brass Band on an off day?