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Russia still uses the same tune for its national anthem, but with different lyrics. They used a different anthem for a while but people hated it.
I think the Russian national anthem is a beautiful and moving piece of music...certainly higher-quality than the Star Spangled Banner, but that's no reason for us to abandon our national anthem. Sucky or not, it's ours. Embrace it.
That music is already the National Anthem of another country. The tune, with different lyrics, is also known as "God Save the Queen".
I was aware, thank you. And in addition to being used as the de facto national anthem of the U.K., the U.S., and the German Empire, it is or has been also used at various periods as the Russian, Swiss, Hawaiian, Norwegian, Swedish, and even Liechtensteiner national anthems.
But of all the arrangements, I like the one usually used for Heil Dir Im Siegerkranz best - it's the most stirring, IMO.
For what it is, the National Anthem is fine. Doesn't get me all teary eyed or anything, but how good it is or isn't ain't a big deal to me. It's not like i gotta hear it daily.
That German song has nothing to do with Nazis. It's a very old song that was originally Austrian. My German grandparents often sang that song in their American home. They were as far from Nazis as one can get.
I love our American National Anthem. When sung well (sans ghetto yodelling), it never fails to bring tears to my eyes.
Those who are without talent should simply not sing it at public events. Many people ruin it and it's usually done much too slowly. Whitney did it perfectly, imo.
You do understand what our National Anthem is about, don't you?
Many people don't sing it correctly, and don't know the words. For example, it isn't "whose brought stripes ..." It is "whose broad stripes and bright stars."
I think it is a beautiful song of victory. It should be sung that way. It isn't a funeral march, as some sing it.
I love the phrase, "And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof throught the night that our flag was still there!" Oh, glorious victory!!! "Oh, say, does that strar spangled banner yet wave, o'r the land of the free, and the home of the brave?"
Good post, but you could have stopped right there.
It's a beautiful anthem, and you're right in saying that many people don't know the correct words; and if they do, they don't understand the meaning behind them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KUchief25
Maybe they can have a contest on American Idol to pick the next national anthem?
Shhhh! Don't give anyone any ideas.
Quote:
Originally Posted by squarian
I vote for "My Country, 'Tis of Thee"
You're aware, then, that that is not the title of the song?
I don't know if I'd be comparing our national anthem to other countries, but I'd agree that America the Beautiful is more fitting because everyone knows it, and it's just a better song. It's lyrics are hopeful and aspirational, and talks about how great and beautiful the US is.
The Star Spangled Banner, however, is about war and is pretty nationalistic if you read through the lyrics. Seriously, how inspiring are these? "That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:"
Yeah, not very.
The final reason I'd like to change the anthem is that America the Beautiful isn't a tune that lends itself to be over-sung and mangled by every b-list pop singer pretending that she's Aretha Franklin.
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