National Anthems - Which one is your favourite ?

[jedibond]

I was just watching the opening of the Italy V Wales rugby match and I suddenly realised that, out of all the national anthems I've ever heard, I really like the Italian one.

 

Just wondering what everyone else's favourite was ???

[poledark]

Me too Jedi, and I like the French one as well quite inspiring if you are Italian or French.

 

Poor old God Save the Queen is areal dirge compared to them........

 

 

Den

[Paul_D]

I've always found the German one very powerfull

[peterpikefisher]

its got to be the scottish one ,

its the most modern , and whats more one of the men who wrote it is still living

[RobStubbs]

I was just watching the opening of the Italy V Wales rugby match and I suddenly realised that, out of all the national anthems I've ever heard, I really like the Italian one.

 

Just wondering what everyone else's favourite was ???

 

The problem is that England doesn't really have one; Sometimes they play god save the queen and for other events it's land of hope and glory. If England had just the one and Great Britain had another I think we might know where we were coming from. I too quite like the Italian and French (might not tomorrow though )

 

Rob.

[merlino bill]

OI OI,

I think england's sould be LAND OF HOPE & GLORY but my favorite men of harlech from the film zulu welsh male voice choir no music just sung without it.

 

[Elton]

Me too Jedi, and I like the French one as well quite inspiring if you are Italian or French.

 

Poor old God Save the Queen is areal dirge compared to them........

Den

 

Fingers crossed that the French one isn't too inspiring later

[Bobj]

OI OI,

I think england's sould be LAND OF HOPE & GLORY but my favorite men of harlech from the film zulu welsh male voice choir no music just sung without it.

 

This is a good version and, I'm sure, is far more inspiring than God Save The Queen

 

Zulu movie version

Verse 1

 

Men of Harlech stop your dreaming

Can't you see their spear points gleaming

See their warrior's pennants streaming

To this battle field

Men of Harlech stand ye steady

It cannot be ever said ye

For the battle were not ready

Welshmen never yield

From the hills rebounding

Let this war cry sounding

Summon all at Cambria's call

The mighty force surrounding

Men of Harlech unto glory

This shall ever be your story

Keep these burning words before ye

Welshmen will not yield

////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Although not a national anthem, my favourite is 'The Minstrel Boy'

The minstrel boy to the war is gone,

In the ranks of death you'll find him;

His father's sword he hath girded on,

And his wild harp slung behind him;

"Land of Song!" cried the warrior bard,

"Tho' all the world betrays thee,

One sword, at least, thy right shall guard,

One faithful harp shall praise thee!"

 

The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain

Could not bring that proud soul under;

The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,

For he tore its chords asunder;

And said "No chains shall sully thee,

Thou soul of love and brav'ry!

Thy songs were made for the pure and free

They shall never sound in slavery!

////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Very stirring stuff.

Edited March 11, 2007 by Bobj

[hembo]

italy and argentina are great, france is pretty inspring as well.i think the flower of scotland has great lyrics, tune is a bit of a dirge though. scotland should use scotland the brave,that would get the teams going.

 

 

Hark, when the night is falling

Hear, hear the pipes are calling

Loudly and proudly calling

Down through the Glen.

There where the hills are sleeping

Now feel the blood a-leaping

High as the spirits

Of the old highland men.

Chorus:

Towering in gallant fame

Scotland my mountain hame

High may your proud standards

Gloriously wave!

Land of my high endeavor

Land of the shining river

Land of my heart forever

Scotland the brave!

 

High in the misty highlands

Out by the purple islands

Brave are the hearts that beat

Beneath Scottish skies

Wild are the winds to meet you

Staunch are the friends that greet you

Kind as the light that shines

From fair maiden's eyes.

Chorus

 

Far off in sunlit places

Sad are the Scottish faces

Yearning to feel the kiss

Of sweet Scottish rain.

Where tropic skies are beaming,

Love sets the heart a-dreaming,

Longing and dreaming

for the homeland again.

 

Chorus

Edited March 11, 2007 by hembo

[corydoras]

its got to be the scottish one ,

its the most modern , and whats more one of the men who wrote it is still living

I need to disagree with you there mate. Flower of Scotland was written by Roy Williamson of the Corries and he is dead. The other Corrie, Ronnie Browne did not write any of the lyrics or music.

 

Personally I can't stand Scotland the Brave, a Scots tune for Sassenachs if ever there was one. I would prefer Scots wha hae as an anthem for Scotland. I like Das Deutschlandlied, the German national anthem. Stirring stuff.