mint Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 If there's one thing I envy the French, it's their national anthem.Last night, glued to the TV, sleepless, tearless, dry-mouthed, nauseated, heart-thumping, yes, I guess you could say I was in shock and horror......But, when the people were filing out of the stade, singing the Marseillaise, there was that dread and unmistakable prickling behind the eye-lids. I could have howled.I have always loved the tune, the words not so much, even when my first French teacher explained the background to the words and how it was a song born of revolution.Now Hollande tells us it's war and that no pity will be shown to the perpetrators. So, perhaps the words still mean something to French people?I have often wished that we had a more stirring and upbeat national anthem and one that doesn't leave everything to God and that, in any case, He is only being asked to save one single human being. Why not everyone else as well?[:-))]At least the French anthem is a call to action from ALL the citizens.Fortunately for me, I could "borrow" my husband's Land of my Fathers! THAT I do find a suitably jolly and bravado sort of a tune! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 I agree the Marseillaise is very moving. I have always thought the hymn "I vow to the my country" would be a good choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneySuckleDreams Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 Aux armes, citoyens, formez vos battalions Quite an apt sentiment I think I'm quite looking forward to the England v France footy on Tuesday, not for the football (obviously, as England are a bit...well..sh1te) but for the La Marseillaise.... I can guarantee goose bumps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 Not too sure about the words though..Marchons, marchons !Qu'un sang impurAbreuve nos sillons ![:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneySuckleDreams Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 Qu'un sang impurAbreuve nos sillons !I always thought that that was a bit "off" , the impure, water our furrows ...etci.e. the blood of those not worthy cover our fields... sort of .. ishmakes for a good song thoughhey ho... I think the jist of all this is beyond songs, but lets sing whilst we have the chance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyaudeman Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 Arise children of the fatherlandThe day of glory has arrivedAgainst us tyranny'sBloody standard is raisedListen to the sound in the fieldsThe howling of these fearsome soldiersThey are coming into our midstTo cut the throats of your sons and consortsTo arms citizens Form your battalionsMarch, marchLet impure bloodWater our furrowsWhat do they want this horde of slavesOf traitors and conspiratorial kings?For whom these vile chainsThese long-prepared irons?Frenchmen, for us, ah! What outrageWhat methods must be taken?It is us they dare planTo return to the old slavery!What! These foreign cohorts!They would make laws in our courts!What! These mercenary phalanxesWould cut down our warrior sonsGood Lord! By chained handsOur brow would yield under the yokeThe vile despots would have themselves beThe masters of destinyTremble, tyrants and traitorsThe shame of all good menTremble! Your parricidal schemesWill receive their just rewardAgainst you we are all soldiersIf they fall, our young herosFrance will bear new onesReady to join the fight against youFrenchmen, as magnanimous warriorsBear or hold back your blowsSpare these sad victimsThat they regret taking up arms against usBut not these bloody despotsThese accomplices of BouilléAll these tigers who pitilesslyRipped out their mothers' wombsWe too shall enlistWhen our elders' time has comeTo add to the list of deedsInscribed upon their tombsWe are much less jealous of surviving themThan of sharing their coffinsWe shall have the sublime prideOf avenging or joining themDrive on sacred patriotismSupport our avenging armsLiberty, cherished libertyJoin the struggle with your defendersUnder our flags, let victoryHurry to your manly toneSo that in death your enemiesSee your triumph and our glory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 It's a really rousing song, I usually join in when I hear it sung, though I only know the first verse.But are the French a warlike nation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Well, I suppose we do have "Land of Hope and Glory" as a second-string anthem, though it' snot very bloodthirsty.We had a French friend staying in London, who went with my daughter to the open-air relay of the Last Night of the Proms in Hyde Park one year. She was staggered to hear that song, and to feel the fervour with which it was sung by everyone around her.Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 So, why fatherland in that translation, as it is 'La' France?Marseillaise, great tune, never was sure about the lyrics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 For me fatherland is a good translation of Patrie which derives from the Latin word for father. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 I agree with Rabbie. Fatherland = La Patrie.Our youngest daughter (of course half French/English) and her boyfriend (good blood stock English Rugbyman) went to watch France-Italy during the last Rugby World Cup. They learned La Marseillaise and sang to their heart content "le moment venu".Theren't many other National Anthems that wake you up in such a manner. Some of them are so slow and uninspiring. My wife (English) thinks Jerusalem would be a good anthem for England. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 As I always hear La Belle France, fatherland, does not 'feel' right, even if it is.[:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 La Belle France today Idun but when the song was written in 1792, times were a tad harsher. Think about 7 people living in one single same room with the hygiene that goes with it ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroTrash Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 Yes the Marseillaise is a good rousing song, which is IMHO what a national anthem should be, you can sing it with passion.Land Of Our Fathers / Hen Wlad fy Nhadau is a good rousing song too and also has a fair dollop of blood in it.Would one get one's head chopped off for saying that God Save The Queen drags on like a dirge and sends me to sleep? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 [quote user="EuroTrash"]Yes the Marseillaise is a good rousing song, which is IMHO what a national anthem should be, you can sing it with passion. Land Of Our Fathers / Hen Wlad fy Nhadau is a good rousing song too and also has a fair dollop of blood in it. Would one get one's head chopped off for saying that God Save The Queen drags on like a dirge and sends me to sleep?[/quote]And the words keep changing too .... one day it's Our King ....then next day Our Queen ...... How confusing for the non initiated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 For those who do not read French too well, this link shows an English phonetic support of the first verse.http://www.theguardian.com/community/2015/nov/17/england-france-photos-videos-fans-sing-la-marseillaise-wembley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroTrash Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 "And the words keep changing too .... one day it's Our King ....then next day Our Queen ...... "Good grief how old are you ericd, how many changes have there been in your lifetime??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 [quote user="EuroTrash"] ..... " Good grief how old are you ericd, how many changes have there been in your lifetime???[/quote]I have only ever known the existing one (bound to change sometime soon ?) .... and you guys will have to re-learn the whole song again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 I managed the change without problems at the age of 7 and I doubt there will be any problems when another change is needed.Perhaps the UK should follow the example of Norway and have a Nation Anthem and a special song for the King. Funnily enough the Norwegian king's song has the the same tune as our national anthem.We should have a completion firstly for a good rousing tune for our new British Anthem and then one for the words.As a start perhaps the English rugby supporters could find something from nearer home to replace the American spiritual they sing now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 Phew Rabbie, I thought you'd have piped up with a chorus of Scotland the brave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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