Natonal Anthems

Crumby · Post by **Crumby** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 7:26 am

What screws me is why there is always an opera singer leading the anthems in a range that no ordinary fan can reach unless in severe pain - whats that about?

Rizzo · Post by **Rizzo** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 1:08 pm

Ever since an elderly friend of the family mixed up Kathryn Jenkins with Gethin Jenkins - we always refer to the Welsh national anthem being sung by Gethin in a frock!

Personally, I like GSTQ - Land of Hope & Glory, Rule Britannia - I like them all :)

Shedman · Post by **Shedman** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:53 pm

did any of ye catch the touch judge and 4th ref singing irelands call on saturday. i did !!!

mightymouse · Post by **mightymouse** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 5:15 pm

As flower of Scotland has taken a knocking and one of the few Scots on here i'll throw my two penny worth in.

Firstly - I like the Welsh and the French anthems and think Ireland Ireland is quite good although by all accounts the Irish don't like it - The italian job seems to drag on a bit.

By far and away god save the queen is the worst anthem on several counts - 1) it is a British anthem so why do England alone sing it 2) It's an apallingling boring dull and meaningless song 3) as a British citizen and a republican I would like a different British anthem anyway

My suggestions for good stirring stuff would be England - use Jerusalem and Britain use Land of hope and glory

as for Scotland - have to agree about Flower of Scotland a bit of a anachronistic dirge - only really works when playing the English and what's the point of that - bit like the Irish really - get over it!!

If we where to have and Anti English dirge - I would chose
"Scots wha hae wi wallace bled
Scots wham Brauce has ofen led
welcome to yer gory bed
or tae victory!"

But I would much rather have something far more upbeat like "Scotland the Brave" or "Scotland Yet" or my personal favourite "Tunes of Glory" to the tune of the "Old Black Bear" on the pipes

banbury tiger · Post by **banbury tiger** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 7:04 pm

at welsh games "songs of praises" always seems to be sung. that's catchy as well.

orla - mumha abú! · Post by **orla - mumha abú!** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:01 pm

not many seem to favour irelands call... hardly surprising in fairness.

i agree, i think god save the queen is awfully boring and almost dirge like.

Stu_F · Post by **Stu_F** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:49 pm

I realise that we are a cultured lot on this forum, but I've never seen Burns quoted before!

tig1 · Post by **tig1** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:44 pm

is flower of scotland the only one of the 'home' anthems written by somebody still alive ?

i am discounting irelands call, as although it very much like it, really its more of a sing a long like, wild rover, sloop john b, or two little boys...

mightymouse · Post by **mightymouse** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:36 am

I'm pleased someone appreciated the Burns - here's the second verse just for you

Nows the day and nows the hour
see the front o' battle lour
see approach proud Edwards power
Chains and slaverie

Listen if you want culture i could burst into a bit of Any Stewart or Kenneth McKeller !!

I rather liked our Tigers anthem behind Dai Youngs dugout when we thrashed Cardiff to the tune of Braed of Heaven

Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers
We still want you to score more
to score more
we still want you to score more

Crivvens · Post by **Crivvens** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:00 pm

I think we should scrap god Save The Queen and have Rule Britannia instead. Either that or Fat Bottomed Girls Make The Rocking World go Round.

Kinoulton · Post by **Kinoulton** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:13 pm

I'm sticking with my idea that England should come out to One Step Beyond and do the walk to go with it.

Apart from that I'm with Dailywaffle. All anthems are dire and it's real cringe TV to have the roving camera shoved in the face of some hapless sportsman who is so unfamiliar with his own anthem he can't even mime it properly.

Ze Stade Fan · Post by **Ze Stade Fan** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:23 pm

Anyone for Jerusalem instead of GSTQ ?

Lansdowne RFC · Post by **Lansdowne RFC** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:15 pm

Best anthems:

1. French
2. Italian
3. Scottish
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
22. Ireland's Call
23. Amhrain na bFiann (sp)
.
.
.
.
55. Welsh
56. North Korean
.
.
.
.
.
.
88.GSTQ
.
.
.
.
101. "We Built This City"
102. Advance Australia Fair
.
.
.
.
.
Last: New Zealand

Note: South African national anthem is not included because the starting XV mumble the first 2 languages then suddenly burst into life once the English words emerge. (The Afikans part sounds better anyway)

Rizzo · Post by **Rizzo** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:33 pm

Ze Stade Fan wrote:Anyone for Jerusalem instead of GSTQ ?

I'm not in the Women's Institute thanks ;)

Rule Britannia is more upbeat and inspirational, I feel, but again many don't know the words, or sing the wrong ones. Land of Hope & Glory always makes me cry, no matter where or when. (It can be embarrassing)

I still go with the Flanders & Swann song of Patriotic Prejudice ;)

with the inspiring chorus
"The English, the English, the English are best,
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest."

Belfast Tiger · Post by **Belfast Tiger** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:53 pm

The Italian National anthem is the way forward. Full of life.

Angelo,

Fantastic win for Italy on Saturday, I love watching Italy play and am so glad they have got an away win under their belts. Next step is to beat Wales at Stadio Flaminio.

Irelands call isn't an anthem but does have passion.

Nobody has mentioned Walzing Matilda yet!!