[Closed] Americanised National Anthem (rant)

I passed a school last month with the flag upside down. 🙁

I haven't personally come across this, however it MASSIVELY grates on me that 'British' Standards (e.g. BS10012) are written full of americaniZed spellings.

National anthem at a sports day?? Posh much?

however it MASSIVELY grates on me that 'British' Standards (e.g. BS10012) is full of [s]americaniZed[/s] perfectly valid british spellings.

Its not just the Americans that do the hand on heart thing, from what I've seen at international sports events, lots of countries do it.

WTF would you have a national anthem played at a primary school sports day?

We've got the worlds worst National anthem anyway - so it would be hard to make it any worse. Makes my skin crawl every time I here it - nothing to do with Britain or the British people just about the queen. It should be renamed the queen's anthem as it's very little to do with the nation or the people.

ocrider - Member
WTF would you have a national anthem played at a primary school sports day?

To simulate a big sporting event perhaps...

Posh much?

What's posh about it?

Not a posh school! Just a normal Primary school, big catchment area and multi cutural.
headmistress is very "old school" though.
Presume its about being patriotic.

Lets be pedantic and point out that England (which I'm assuming we are talking about here) has no National Anthem...

God Save the Queen is the British National Anthem, and although other countries within Britain have specific Anthems of their own, the English do not.

Next year turn up with a sound system and blast out "Anarchy in the UK" by them punk lads whilst waving your willy at the kids. It should mean you won't have to attend the subsequent sports days.

I passed a school last month with the flag upside down

Shame on you Shep for passing by and not enquiring as to the reason for the distress signal. 😉

We've got the worlds worst National anthem anyway - so it would be hard to make it any worse

Whether it's the worst or not, we surely share position with Lichtenstein, who use the same tune for theirs.

We've got the worlds worst National anthem anyway

Which one would you prefer?

Shame on you Shep for passing by and not enquiring as to the reason for the distress signal.

Are we just turning into another state of the US?

Presumably not given that they weren't singing the US national anthem 🙂

The worst thing about our national anthem at sporting events is that no-one actually knows when to start singing, and sort of join in as it goes along. Most people have joined in by '..our gracious Queen...'

Funnily enough, I represented England once and the same thing happened when we were expected to sing it 🙂

the Aussies were far worse though 😀

We've got the worlds worst National anthem anyway

Nah, that's Spain - hasn't even got words.

[i]Which one would you prefer?[/i]

I've always liked the Italian national anthem, they seem to have great fun singing along as well.

We've got the worlds worst National anthem anyway

Which one would you prefer?

One that mentioned Britain & the British people perhaps

We've got the worlds worst National anthem anyway - so it would be hard to make it any worse

Whether it's the worst or not, we surely share position with Lichtenstein, who use the same tune for theirs.

Caused a minor issue when Lichtenstein played Scotland recently! Scots fans, unfairly IMO, accused of booing and not respecting the Lichtenstein anthem. I think probably more a case of genuine confusion and a belief that some cock-up had lead to it being played for the Scotland team (which would indeed be booed, and rightly so).

One that mentioned Britain & the British people perhaps

Not sure any of the other anthems do?

Hands on hearts is a bit jingoistic, but then jingoism seems quite popular these days...

Lets be pedantic and point out that England (which I'm assuming we are talking about here) has no National Anthem...

God Save the Queen is the British National Anthem, and although other countries within Britain have specific Anthems of their own, the English do not.

Then I think an E-petition is in order nominating something as an "English National Anthem"

Any Proposals?

My proposal:

We are the Champions by Queen.

Sung with varying degrees of irony as appropriate on each occasion.

[i]One that mentioned Britain & the British people perhaps [/i]

I'll think you'll find that ours already mentions the Scots

[i]Lord grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush,
And like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush.
God save the Queen![/i]

🙂

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/31630

Wade - he made some good MTB routes. Probably the best bit of the dirge.

Loathsome tune and vile words - time we adopted Jerusalem.

but is this bike chat?

I think we should adopt 'We are the Champions'.

Positive mental attitude and all that.

😀

tomhoward - Member
"One that mentioned Britain & the British people perhaps"
Not sure any of the other anthems do?

Lots of other national anthems mention their country and people.

It has to be 'Angels' by Robbie Williams. Everyone knows the words, they can sing it while shanted, and it sums-up this chavvy nation perfectly.

I absolutely love our anthem. Gives me the shivers as soon as you hear the drum roll.
I quite like Advance Australia Fair. Mainly because it says "our land girt by sea". I should like to visit Girt by Sea.

A French mimic imitated Chirac and asked the national football team to do it during la Marseillaise, they did.

Lots of other national anthems mention their country and people.

Not Britain or Brits though 😉

My view is that it matters little how 'good' the anthem is, what the lyrics are or how catchy the tune is. The point is its ours, and its what we play when we are proud of ourselves as a nation. When I hear it, makes me feel proud.

When I hear it I cringe.

The point is its ours, and its what we play when we are proud of ourselves as a nation. When I hear it, makes me feel proud.

Drum n Bass, more specifically Jungle makes me feel proud to be British

Talking of national anthems

This is how to insult an Australian team!

If it helps I was at a graduation ceremony in the US 2 weeks ago and the national anthem was sung there- very quietly by about 6 of the over 70's in the audience (though everyone did have their hands on their hearts).

Scarily they went through what all the graduates were doing- some to uni, some to work and then they got everyone who was going to be in the military to stand up, announcing the roles they will have. They all got a standing ovation.

Yawn...as the Guardian mob prepare themselves.

however it MASSIVELY grates on me that 'British' Standards (e.g. BS10012) is full of americaniZed perfectly valid british spellings.

I think that depends one one's understanding of the word 'valid'. You're probably using he US meaning! 😉

ohnohesback - Member
When I hear it I cringe.