Poll: Do you know the words to your national anthem?

[Betancore]

Been singing it since I was 5, so I know all the words to our national anthem. Although on most occasions it's just the first verse that's sung nowadays.

 

[superbatranger]

Oh say can you see, By the Dawns early light what so proudly we hailed Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

For the most part, I can remember most of the US anthem, but there are times when I forget a few lines. As for feeling patriotic or any strong emotions when the anthem plays, I never feel much of anything. I put my hand on my heart, but I don't have any patriotic thoughts going through my head.

 

[Wadders]

I refuse to sing God Save the Queen, because one of the verses talks about attacking 'The Scots'

Plus, its a GODAWFULLY BORING anthem

Thus:

"FLOWER OF SCO'-LAAAN
WHEN WILL WE SEE,
YER LIKES AGAIN?
THAT FO-UGH' AN DIEEED FOR
A WEE BI' A HILL AN' GLEN

AN' STOOD AGAINST THEM
ENGLAN'!
PROU' EDWARD'S AR-MEEEE
AN' SEN' THE HOO-OOME WARD
TAE THINK AGAIN"

I'm English Born and Bred, and I prefer your rousing anthem to God Save the Queen. Its the fuckin' dullest thing ever.

We should get rid of god save the queen, and each country in the UK should just have it's own anthem and thats it. England should get Jerusalem

"And was JERUSALEM builded here,
On ENGLAND'S green and plea-sant land"

That's a good one

I'm guessing that is sarcasm? Hard to tell on the internet

 

[GoldenRaz]

I know only the beginning and the end of mine (ours?), mostly due to those two parts being the only times where I've bothered to pay attention to the lyrics.

No, I'm neither patriotic nor nationalistic. If you'll excuse the quotation:

Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.

Yeah, I'm of the impression that nationalism is the main cause of pretty much any war, ever. (shameless generalization)
Not to mention that I find it odd to be proud of where you were born and live, as if it makes any real difference in your worth as a human being.

 

[Wadders]

I find nationalism detestable. My country is shit and so is yours (whoever is reading this, wherever you are).

A bit of pride in your country is not Nationalism. You're right, nationalism is detestable, but knowing the National Anthem is not nationalism.

Britain isnt shit. Sure it's not the best place in the world to live but there are far worse. If you think it's shit, try living in some 3rd world African hell-hole. I'm sure that will put a bit of perspective on things. Whatever issues you have with this country will pale in comparison to what people who live over there have to put up with.

In short: Be grateful, it could be a lot worse.

 

[SuccessAndBiscuts]

I dont mind it as an overall UK anthem, but I would prefer if we English had our own anthem like the other countries in the UK do.

Just to point out several Scottish people find "God save the queen" offensive because it at one point included

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 King.

While I'm not anti-UK as such those "Rebellious Scots" include my clan several of whom were killed off. So I can't really say I'm comfortable hearing it used.

Edit:

I do know "Flower of Scotland" though.

Hmm fair enough. Bearing in mind the song was written a long time ago though. As I'm sure you're aware, I dont think anyone who sings it these days really supports that sentiment any more. And besides, that verse is rarely sung, its only the first verse that's ever sung at footy and rugby matches.

I'm sorry if it offends you, but I cant see us changing our national anthem just because a handful of Scotchmen take offense. Similarly, I could (although I dont) take offense at Flower of Scotland as it bears a bit of an anti-English sentiment. Quite rightly though as it's part of your heritage.

I'm jealous of you guys for having such a kick-ass anthem. Like I said, us English should get our own anthem, hopefully as rousing as Flower of Scotland

Yea its all a bit pointless when you get down to it, like a lot of patriotism. Fair enough being proud of your country if you actually try and make it a better place.

You are entirely right about the anti-England sentiment in flower of Scotland. However as I hope I made clear my own family history intersects with the song so its a little more personal.

Finally... there was something niggling away at the back of my mind for ages when I was thinking about the national anthem.

Then I remembered, Eddie Izzard on the subject of singing, including a bit on national anthems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5iu_JNvPII

 

[DesiPrinceX09]

The national anthem of Zambia is sang faily often but it's usually sang in Bemba or Nyanja (two of 72 spoken languages) so I never really got to know it although I did hear it english and I think it's pretty nice (it's called "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" or "Lumbanyeni Zambia"). I do miss hearing it even if I don't understand the words, you certainly would not hear it in America (where I live now) and I couldn't care less about the anthem and the over zealous patriotism here, no offense.

 

[LewsTherin]

I know O Canada by heart, at least the first stanza and bits of the rest, as well as most of Flower of Scotland and God Save the Queen.

 

[Lizardon]

I know the all of the Australian national anthem, inluding the second verse no one ever sings.

 

[Dyme]

Don't know the German anthem. National consciousness is for people without self consciousness and confidence.

 

[SultanP]

I do not support patriotism, hell, I don't even know what my national anthem is. I find pride in something you had no hand in to be silly. Like pride that your local or national football team won something, unless you are on the team, or pride in your nationality, unless you changed your nationality yourself.

 

[GammaZord]

Here it is, written by Francis Scott Key:

America...
America...
America, FUCK YEAH!
Coming again, to save the mother fucking day yeah,
America, FUCK YEAH!
Freedom is the only way yeah,
Terrorist your game is through cause now you have to answer too,
America, FUCK YEAH!
So lick my butt, and suck on my balls,
America, FUCK YEAH!
What you going to do when we come for you now,
it's the dream that we all share; it's the hope for tomorrow

FUCK YEAH!

McDonalds, FUCK YEAH!
Wal-Mart, FUCK YEAH!
The Gap, FUCK YEAH!
Baseball, FUCK YEAH!
NFL, FUCK, YEAH!
Rock and roll, FUCK YEAH!
The Internet, FUCK YEAH!
Slavery, FUCK YEAH!

FUCK YEAH!

Starbucks, FUCK YEAH!
Disney world, FUCK YEAH!
Porno, FUCK YEAH!
Valium, FUCK YEAH!
Reeboks, FUCK YEAH!
Fake Tits, FUCK YEAH!
Sushi, FUCK YEAH!
Taco Bell, FUCK YEAH!
Rodeos, FUCK YEAH!
Bed bath and beyond (Fuck yeah, Fuck yeah)

Liberty, FUCK YEAH!
White Slips, FUCK YEAH!
The Alamo, FUCK YEAH!
Band-aids, FUCK YEAH!
Las Vegas, FUCK YEAH!
Christmas, FUCK YEAH!
Immigrants, FUCK YEAH!
Popeye, FUCK YEAH!
Democrats, FUCK YEAH!
Republicans (republicans)
(fuck yeah, fuck yeah)
Sportsmanship
Books

 

[oktalist]

I find nationalism detestable. My country is shit and so is yours (whoever is reading this, wherever you are).

A bit of pride in your country is not Nationalism. You're right, nationalism is detestable, but knowing the National Anthem is not nationalism.

Britain isnt shit. Sure it's not the best place in the world to live but there are far worse. If you think it's shit, try living in some 3rd world African hell-hole. I'm sure that will put a bit of perspective on things. Whatever issues you have with this country will pale in comparison to what people who live over there have to put up with.

In short: Be grateful, it could be a lot worse.

Sure. I was mainly disagreeing with all the posts saying that not having pride in your country is the worst thing ever. Of course knowing the national anthem is not nationalism.

As a place to live, Britain is fine. I'm just kind of against the whole concept of nations, though, but that's another story.

 

[oktalist]

Are there people that actually don't? It's usually hammered into your brain as a child growing up here in the USA, what with school, sporting events, and the fact they teach you all about in when you are young I would suspect it's known by almost everyone in the USA. I fugured it would be more so in other countries since they are WAY higher then us on the education scale.

Maybe that's because we don't waste all our school time learning some theme song.

 

[MercurySteam]

I know both verses of my Anthem so I guess I am a true Aussie.

 

[Not-here-anymore]

Well, the first verse isn't exactly hard, as you said. The second and third are much harder to remember and most people don't even know they exist.

Unless they watch Blackadder.

What? I remember no such episode!

Blackadder goes forth? When he's interrogating Darling?

 

[Jezzy54]

It's an unwritten fact in Australia that no-one gives a crap about the second verse of the national anthem. Seriously, no matter what the occasion is, it's never, ever used. Not that I'm complaining.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

I know the first verse of the Star Spangled Banner (US national anthem), nobody every taught me the rest when I was young, and now I can't be bothered to learn it. My thoughts on patriotism are best expressed by quoting George Jean Nathan:

Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real estate above principles.

If my country decides to represent, or even somewhat tolerate, ideals that I care for, I will defend it. Until then, I'll continue thinking about what country I will move to when I'm done with college.

 

[Wadders]

I don't think I could stand Jerusalem. Thanks to all the times my mother held WI meetings in our house, that thing haunts me. 'Rule Britannia' is alright - it's outdated as hell, but at least you can hum along.

OP: I'm patriotic about the little things in the UK. I still think we're going down the crapper, but at the same time the Queen is awesome and we've got Monty Python and lovely scenery. I just wish our anthem wasn't the essence of boring. It bugs me that we're expected to be patriotic about a dirge. If we're going to have a national anthem, give us one that makes us proud and enthusiastic, not sleepy. Thankfully I only know the first verse, I'd be there all day if I had to sing the other five too.

Haha! I know Jerusalem is the WI anthem, but at least it's less dirge-like than God Save Our Queen. For some reason, it's always seemed a bit warlike in the last few verses for a WI meeting to me

Rule Britannia is great, but as you say it's so out dated, although the chorus still holds true as far as I'm concerned.

Maybe this will change your attitude to Jerusalem a bit. And if not, then it's still a pretty stirring rendition imo

 

[Dr Snakeman]

Oh say can you see, By the Dawns early light what so proudly we hailed Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

This is the part that I know by heart. However, seeing as there are three more stanzas that I only know a few of the words to, I chose "not all the words".

Edit: Also, after "hailed", it's "at the twilight's last gleaming". The rest is right, though.