Your national anthem

[Cattypuss]

My perception, though, is that there is not a lot of nationalism in Japan. The flag doesn't fly everywhere. They cheer for Japan in world sporting events, of course, but people generally try to keep nationalism at a low point, to avoid a repeat of what happened in the first half of the 20th century.

In my travels over the world (lots of countries, in every continent except Down Under, and including Soviet Russia), I have never seen one tenth as many flags per average square mile as I have in in the USA. Here in England it was the Queen's diamond Jubilee a month ago, we have the Olympics about to start... and - honestly - I have seen more flags per square mile in the US in a non-eventful year than I do here at the moment. We may wave a flag at a sporting event or at the last night of the Proms, but in the street and on people's houses? Not so much.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

... Id be horrified it Waltzing Matilda became our anthem....

How about if another set of lyrics were written to go with WM's music? I think that kind of rockin' melody would be entirely appropriate for an Aussie anthem.

 

[deskuser]

God Save The Queen is our anthem and I like it because I grew up with it and its always been there but I feel English more than British (even though I like Andy Murray) and really like Land Of Hope And Glory whcih gives me goosebumps.

Jerusalem is also another favourite too.

Independence Day was a hugely enjoyable film and very tongue in cheek, but the ending of War of The Worlds where the invaders become ill through ingesting bacteria is more credible than a scientist uploading a computer virus.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

It's almost annoying having it sung in two languages. A couple of times only the Maori version has been sung and the pakehas (white people) have spat the dummy and if they only do the english version then the Maoris throw their toys out of the cot. Hence why it's usually both versions.

I agree, I think more people feel that the Haka is the true Kiwi anthem as our national anthem doesn't seem to have alot of relevance today, god and the queen?

There are Brits here who disagree.

Ours seems interminably long when you're waiting for a game to start. Purely selfishly, I don't know if I could stand two versions. Maybe alternating lines in English, Spanish, Iroquois, Navajo, and Algonquin? And Esperanto maybe?

The only sporting event I have been to here was a baseball game, they did have the Japanese anthem, "Kimi-ga-yo" which is one of the shortest anthems in the world! They sang it pretty slowly as I recall.

My perception, though, is that there is not a lot of nationalism in Japan. The flag doesn't fly everywhere. They cheer for Japan in world sporting events, of course, but people generally try to keep nationalism at a low point, to avoid a repeat of what happened in the first half of the 20th century.

Interesting. I'm just interested in these sorts of customs. I was always intrigued that I'd read that they played "God Save the Queen" in movie theatres in the U.K. before the film. I don't know if that's still done.

I'm reading a book called "The Next 100 Years" that postulates that, among other things, Japan will HAVE to be become more nationalistic and expansionist, because of their lack of natural resources, declining birth rate, and hostility to immigrants attaining citizenship. It may be total B.S. (and how many of us will ever live to find out?) but it makes for good reading.

In my travels over the world (lots of countries, in every continent except Down Under, and including Soviet Russia), I have never seen one tenth as many flags per average square mile as I have in in the USA. Here in England it was the Queen's diamond Jubilee a month ago, we have the Olympics about to start... and - honestly - I have seen more flags per square mile in the US in a non-eventful year than I do here at the moment. We may wave a flag at a sporting event or at the last night of the Proms, but in the street and on people's houses? Not so much.

It's true. We loooooooove us some stars and stripes, and if you don't, then DEATH FROM ABOVE, fuckers!!!!!

And why do you hate freedom, CP?

How about if another set of lyrics were written to go with WM's music? I think that kind of rockin' melody would be entirely appropriate for an Aussie anthem.

I volunteer Kurokami.

Independence Day was a hugely enjoyable film and very tongue in cheek, but the ending of War of The Worlds where the invaders become ill through ingesting bacteria is more credible than a scientist uploading a computer virus.

Virus, shmirus. Let the Avengers loose!
And wasn't Tom Cruise in that movie? Is it possible he infected Katie with said bacteria?

 

[Netzach]

In my travels over the world (lots of countries, in every continent except Down Under, and including Soviet Russia), I have never seen one tenth as many flags per average square mile as I have in in the USA. Here in England it was the Queen's diamond Jubilee a month ago, we have the Olympics about to start... and - honestly - I have seen more flags per square mile in the US in a non-eventful year than I do here at the moment. We may wave a flag at a sporting event or at the last night of the Proms, but in the street and on people's houses? Not so much.

It just wasn't like this prior to 9/11. I mean probably more than other places, but if you don't shit flags onto every surface you are in league with the terrorists now. I find the trivialization of the damn thing onto every coffee mug disturbing.

 

[Cattypuss]

Interesting. I'm just interested in these sorts of customs. I was always intrigued that I'd read that they played "God Save the Queen" in movie theatres in the U.K. before the film. I don't know if that's still done.

Good grief, where did you hear that? I'm 44 years old, have been going to the cinema since I was knee-high, and I have NEVER heard the national anthem in a cinema!

It's true. We loooooooove us some stars and stripes, and if you don't, then DEATH FROM ABOVE, fuckers!!!!!

And why do you hate freedom, CP?

PMSL

 

[Cattypuss]

It just wasn't like this prior to 9/11. I mean probably more than other places, but if you don't shit flags onto every surface you are in league with the terrorists now. I find the trivialization of the damn thing onto every coffee mug disturbing.

I feel for ya!

 

[seela]

Interesting. I'm just interested in these sorts of customs. I was always intrigued that I'd read that they played "God Save the Queen" in movie theatres in the U.K. before the film. I don't know if that's still done.

They still do that in Thailand. Not God Save The Queen, obviously, but the local version thereof. You're supposed to stand up and pay respect to the king when the anthem is played before a movie starts, and if you don't, you could end up in jail.

 

[Keroin]

In my travels over the world (lots of countries, in every continent except Down Under, and including Soviet Russia), I have never seen one tenth as many flags per average square mile as I have in in the USA. Here in England it was the Queen's diamond Jubilee a month ago, we have the Olympics about to start... and - honestly - I have seen more flags per square mile in the US in a non-eventful year than I do here at the moment. We may wave a flag at a sporting event or at the last night of the Proms, but in the street and on people's houses? Not so much.

Yeah, we're always baffled by the flag thing when we cross the line. It's a nice reminder in case we forget which country we're in, though.

 

[seela]

Yeah, we're always baffled by the flag thing when we cross the line. It's a nice reminder in case we forget which country we're in, though.

Another good reminder, according to a person on another forum I frequent, is that forests in Canada are ruined by acid rain, whereas those in the US are pristine and lush.

 

[midwestyankee]

My favorite version of The Star Spangled Banner was performed by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock (yes, I'm an old fuck, so sue me).

If I were to be given the power, I'd declare Neil Diamond's "Coming to America " the new anthem.

True story: when I was in college, our debate team took on Oxford at home one year. As a prelude to the festivities, our debate coach arranged for the college organist to play "Variations on a Theme" by American composer Charles Ives, which runs about 15 minutes long. What made this such a fun choice of prelude is that the theme at tbe center of the Ives piece is the song "My Country 'tis of Thee," or as the English call it, "God Save the Queen." After standing for 15 minutes the team from Oxford was not pleased.

 

[Cattypuss]

Look on the bright side, MWY - at least you're not so old that they thought it was God Save the King.

 

[Redkate]

How about if another set of lyrics were written to go with WM's music? I think that kind of rockin' melody would be entirely appropriate for an Aussie anthem.

If different lyrics were written it wouldn't be the same. It was written by a bush poet Banjo Patterson in the late 1800s and the music was released for it 10 to 15 years later. So the words are the reason the melody was written in the first place.
Like I said, I adore Waltzing Matilda, but a National anthem it is not.

 

[kiwi_submissive]

If different lyrics were written it wouldn't be the same. It was written by a bush poet Banjo Patterson in the late 1800s and the music was released for it 10 to 15 years later. So the words are the reason the melody was written in the first place.
Like I said, I adore Waltzing Matilda, but a National anthem it is not.

I am sure I have heard it sung before a rugby game. Not very rugbyesque but it is a great song. Just as long as Rolf Harris is not singing it.

 

[Redkate]

I am sure I have heard it sung before a rugby game. Not very rugbyesque but it is a great song. Just as long as Rolf Harris is not singing it.

It's very popular in rugby circles. It's often heard being sung by the crowd and I enjoy that.
Couldn't agree with you more about Rolf Harris. He makes me cringe.

 

[midwestyankee]

Look on the bright side, MWY - at least you're not so old that they thought it was God Save the King.

You're so thoughtful.