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National Anthems and local traditions

(106 Posts)
nanna8 Sun 27-Oct-24 05:07:08

Watching some rugby on tv. I love the New Zealand national anthem and the Māori Haka they do before the matches. Another lovely one is the Welsh one , O land of My Fathers. I think the Australian one isn’t that good,I would have preferred ‘ We are One,but we are Many’ or something like that. I think the British one needs updating because it is just about one person, not the nation but that is their choice I suppose.
Have you a favourite anthem ( Flower of Scotland isn’t too shabby, either) ?

JamesandJon33 Sun 27-Oct-24 15:28:07

If it was for sport it wouldn’t be a National anthem. It would be a sporting anthem. Not the same at all. Though I do agree tha Gsave the K is a bit of a dirge.

Wheniwasyourage Sun 27-Oct-24 14:27:14

FriedGreenTomatoes2

The English need their own for sporting events as GStK is for everyone. Something rousing would be good!

I rarely agree with you, FriedGreenTomatoes2, particularly about politics, but in this case I think you are spot on. I don't like GSTK, but as you say, it is for everyone and it is annoying when the English take it over!

Go for it, England, and find something rousing!

Mollygo Sun 27-Oct-24 14:20:00

I’d like an anthem/national song just for England. The national anthem without words can sound quite good and also has the virtue of being short.
Since there’ll never be agreement about what it should be (see endless GN, FB, Twitter, X posts on the matter -inclusive, exclusive, whose religion is mentioned, should be non-religious, doesn’t mention all parts of the UK etc, etc) then how can we change it?

halfpint1 Sun 27-Oct-24 13:57:52

Or sung even

halfpint1 Sun 27-Oct-24 13:57:18

Ive always found the french 'Marseille'very rousing especially when its sunday at a French/english rugby match

Hellogirl1 Sun 27-Oct-24 13:51:55

I`d love our anthem to be Jerusalem, it was our school song and I`ve always loved it. My favourite anthem is the Welsh one, especially sung by a crowd in Cardiff Arms Park, wonderful1!!

Jaberwok Sun 27-Oct-24 13:29:41

Perfectly happy with our N/A, Jerusalem maybe if it's changed. Please not something trendy which will be old hat inside he years.

Allira Sun 27-Oct-24 12:30:41

England needs its own anthem.

After all, if the home nations compete in sporting events, Wales has an anthem, Scotland an unofficial one as does N. Ireland, but England has to sing the anthem of the whole United Kingdom.

QuaintIrene Sun 27-Oct-24 12:10:52

My hometown, Holmfirth has it's own anthem - "Pratty Flowers" that was always sung with gusto at the Sing. It isn't particularly rousing but we enjoyed it.

CountessFosco Sun 27-Oct-24 11:47:45

The Belgian National anthem is stirring and lively. It's super

Nannarose Sun 27-Oct-24 11:46:56

Sorry - even when I checked I didn't get Ireland right

Nannarose Sun 27-Oct-24 11:46:08

Mizuna

My county of Cornwall has its own official anthem called Trelawny. To hear it sung by a host of local people is wonderful. If you Google The Fisherman's Friends/Trelawny you'll hear a lovely rendition.

I can't stand our national anthem, so dreary!

When I was young in England (nowhere near Cornwall) we were taught all the 'home countries' National Anthems. I look back with interest that were didn't even think about Northern Oreland, but we did learn Trelawnym - bing told that the Cornish 'thought they were a separate country'! I have acquired relatives through marriage who live in Cornwall (lucky me!) and although Trelawnwy remain popular, they tell me that there is a great deal of love for the 'new anthem' Cornwall My Home, and having seen it sung there, I think there is:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5xNgKocsO8

mae13 Sun 27-Oct-24 09:49:43

I would vote for changing the UK anthem to "The Ying Tong Song" by the Goons.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sun 27-Oct-24 09:44:45

The English need their own for sporting events as GStK is for everyone. Something rousing would be good!

Georgesgran Sun 27-Oct-24 09:28:51

I hate ours (GStheK) and believe it’s the only one that is ‘for’ a person rather than the country? Also asking ‘God’ clashes with so many different faiths and those of us with none.
Still, I guess we’re stuck with it, as I can’t see William changing it.
I do like other ‘anthems’ sung at sporting occasions.

Visgir1 Sun 27-Oct-24 09:27:47

I agree with Billy Connolly, we need a happy Anthem he suggested The Archers theme tune, yep fine with me.

Bellanonna Sun 27-Oct-24 09:26:21

The German NA is very tuneful, music by Haydn.

Elegran Sun 27-Oct-24 09:24:28

God save the King is more a processional anthem, for a solemn slow walk, not one to stir the blood while you listen to it standing tall and to attention before going into battle or a sporting competition. It always seems to take longer than most national anthems and the words of some verses are downright divisional, not inclusive. It would be better to have two - one for that kind of procession, one for generating emotions of pride in your country.

Chocolatelovinggran Sun 27-Oct-24 09:20:27

I am very conscious of the words of national songs, and The Marseillaise is a good example of a stirring melody attached to war -mongering lyrics, where patriotism slips into nationalism.

Grandmaofone Sun 27-Oct-24 09:15:19

Our NA is more like a dirge it is so sombre.
Perhaps Bernie Taupin and Elton John could
create a new one which is more inclusive of
our four countries and not so obsequious.

flappergirl Sun 27-Oct-24 09:14:30

In order of preference:

Welsh
Scottish
French
American

God save the King is old hat, dreary and doesn't represent everyone. I think that generations coming through, who are ever increasingly non royalist, will demand change at some point. With any luck!

nanna8 Sun 27-Oct-24 09:06:24

Yes the South African one is good. Also La Marseillaise, of course. One of our footy teams has hi jacked that, though - Brisbane Lions. Cheek !

merlotgran Sun 27-Oct-24 09:00:00

I love the Welsh National anthem and also the South African one although I don’t know what it’s called and I believe it’s a new post apartheid one.

The National Anthems that make me giggle are the ones that seem to go on for ever and nobody seems to know the words.

Mizuna Sun 27-Oct-24 07:42:15

My county of Cornwall has its own official anthem called Trelawny. To hear it sung by a host of local people is wonderful. If you Google The Fisherman's Friends/Trelawny you'll hear a lovely rendition.

I can't stand our national anthem, so dreary!

MissInterpreted Sun 27-Oct-24 07:40:58

I love Flower of Scotland - when it's sung at Murrayfield when the rugby is on, it makes the hairs on the back of the neck stand up!