Cendrillon Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 [quote user="Chas"]The National Anthem may be seen by some to be a dirge compared to those of other nations, but it is the only one we have and as long as it is my National Anthem I will respect it and sing it with pride.[/quote]ChasWell said.Yesterday two verses of the National Anthem were sung in our local church at the Remembrance Day service, no hint of a dirge at all.When we no longer have a Queen I would like to see us adopt the hymn "I Vow To Thee My Country" in place of God save The Queen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maricopa Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Personnally, I don't think the National Anthem is a dirge at all, it normally give me goosebumps, and especially at occasions such as the remembrance ceremony. I guess that is what you get for serving (gladly & proudly) the Queen and country for 25 years.I do also enjoy the Marseillaise, and (when I eventually can remember all the words) will sing along just as heartily as when singing the NA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkkent Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 When we no longer have a Queen I would like to see us adopt the hymn "I Vow To Thee My Country" in place of God save The Queen.Oh dear. That would mean that Holst's superb suite would not be performed in its complete form. The theme from Jupiter, the bringer of jollity was never intended to be solemn (just as Nimrod was not, either). I think that Dyson's Song for a Festival would be much better.The God save the King/Queen melody was adopted by other countries for national or patriotic purposes including the USA which only adopted its present anthem in 1931.I find the French national anthem stirring - but its melody sounds as though it was written by a committee (I know it wasn't) and its words are not really acceptable in the 21st century. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 "Oh dear. That would mean that Holst's superb suite would not be performed in its complete form. The theme from Jupiter, the bringer of jollity was never intended to be solemn (just as Nimrod was not, either). I think that Dyson's Song for a Festival would be much better."I think we would we would still listen to the whole of The Planets, why not? We still hear Nimrod played as part of The Enigma Variations even though it is frequently played on its own for solemn occasions."The God save the King/Queen melody was adopted by othercountries for national or patriotic purposes including the USA whichonly adopted its present anthem in 1931".Indeed, the other day I heard the Carl M. VonWeber "Celebration Suite" and the God Save The Queen melody wascertainly in there.I still think "I Vow To Thee My Country" would be a great choice for both words and music.http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/v/ivow2the.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkkent Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 [quote user="Cendrillon"]I still think "I Vow To Thee My Country" would be a great choice for both words and music.http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/v/ivow2the.htm[/quote]My objection to "I vow to thee my country" is that a great tune has been ripped away from its original context and given meanings that its composer never intended. Once it becomes a "national anthem" Jupiter will be changed in the ears of listeners to something Holst never intended. It was bad enough listening to its distortion during the Rugby World Cup about a decade ago. By all means use the words, but lets have an appropriate new tune. Nimrod is about friendship and support and companionship, not remembrance and mourning.You know the definition of an intellectual? Someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture without once thinking of The Lone Ranger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaJ Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 The CE1 children in one of the schools I taught in last year were learning the Marseillaise off by heart. They asked me to teach them the British anthem, but when I did a rough translation for her the teacher wasn't sure if we could mention the G word in a French school!regardsL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Nimrod is not exactly easy to sing, is it?As for Land of Hope & Glory, that will now also be considered jingoistic and war like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Nimrod is not exactly easy to sing, is it?Maybe not but there I believe there are words now set to the music of Nimrod. Finlandia also has words "Be Still My Soul" which I quite like however I digress and this is not a suitable choice of National Anthem for the British.As for Land of Hope & Glory, that will now also be considered jingoistic and war like?I agree, it's not a top favourite of mine either, think we will leave that one to the football and rugby crowds.[;-)]When all is said and done, if we change our anthem then I don't suppose anyone will ask my opinion.[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 [quote user="LisaJ"]The CE1 children in one of the schools I taught in last year were learning the Marseillaise off by heart. They asked me to teach them the British anthem, but when I did a rough translation for her the teacher wasn't sure if we could mention the G word in a French school!regardsL[/quote]I listened to the children singing both La Marseillaise and the British national anthem today at our two cemeteries, apart from being ashamed at not knowing all the words to either I noticed that their pronunciation was perfect except for "gracious" is this the "G" word and what does it signify here?I was very pleased to understand all verses of La Marseillaise this time, two years ago it was still incomprehensible, could somebody please post the words of the full song (in French) here? It would help me to remember and maybe join in next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hello !!Here you are !! La Marseillaise Allons enfants de la PatrieLe jour de gloire est arrivé !Contre nous de la tyrannieL'étendard sanglant est levéEntendez-vous dans nos campagnesMugir ces féroces soldats?Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras.Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes!Aux armes citoyensFormez vos bataillonsMarchons, marchonsQu'un sang impurAbreuve nos sillonsQue veut cette horde d'esclavesDe traîtres, de rois conjurés?Pour qui ces ignobles entravesCes fers dès longtemps préparés?Français, pour nous, ah! quel outrageQuels transports il doit exciter?C'est nous qu'on ose méditerDe rendre à l'antique esclavage!Quoi ces cohortes étrangères!Feraient la loi dans nos foyers!Quoi! ces phalanges mercenairesTerrasseraient nos fils guerriers!Grand Dieu! par des mains enchaînéesNos fronts sous le joug se ploieraientDe vils despotes deviendraientLes maîtres des destinées.Tremblez, tyrans et vous perfidesL'opprobre de tous les partisTremblez! vos projets parricidesVont enfin recevoir leurs prix!Tout est soldat pour vous combattreS'ils tombent, nos jeunes hérosLa France en produit de nouveaux,Contre vous tout prêts à se battre.Français, en guerriers magnanimesPortez ou retenez vos coups!Épargnez ces tristes victimesÀ regret s'armant contre nousMais ces despotes sanguinairesMais ces complices de BouilléTous ces tigres qui, sans pitiéDéchirent le sein de leur mère!Nous entrerons dans la carrièreQuand nos aînés n'y seront plusNous y trouverons leur poussièreEt la trace de leurs vertusBien moins jaloux de leur survivreQue de partager leur cercueilNous aurons le sublime orgueilDe les venger ou de les suivre!Amour sacré de la PatrieConduis, soutiens nos bras vengeursLiberté, Liberté chérieCombats avec tes défenseurs!Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoireAccoure à tes mâles accentsQue tes ennemis expirantsVoient ton triomphe et notre gloire! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaJ Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 The G word in question was God which the teacher didn't think she should mention in a state school. I am only quoting what she said!L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Just for balance, here are the words of the British NA. I've just realised that the words in the second to last line of the last verse don't work when you have a Queen as monach!GOD SAVE THE QUEENGod save our gracious Queen,Long live our noble Queen,God save the Queen!Send her victorious,Happy and Glorious,Long to reign over us;God save the Queen! O Lord our God arise,Scatter her enemiesAnd make them fall;Confound their politics,Frustrate their knavish tricks,On Thee our hopes we fix,Oh, save us all!Thy choicest gifts in storeOn her be pleased to pour;Long may she reign;May she defend our laws,And ever give us causeTo sing with heart and voice,God save the Queen!Not in this land alone,But be God's mercies known,From shore to shore!Lord make the nations see,That men should brothers be,And form one family,The wide world overFrom every latent foe,From the assassins blow,God save the Queen!O'er her thine arm extend,For Britain's sake defend,Our mother, prince, and friend,God save the Queen! And this is the verse that was removed quite some time agoLord, 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.Marshall Wade, referred to in the above lines, was an officer in the army sent to halt the advance of the Jacobite troops in the north. The lines were appropriately omitted when the song was adopted as the British National Anthem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted November 19, 2008 Author Share Posted November 19, 2008 Very disappointed with the Uruguayan supporters in tonight's pointless (sorry friendly international) match. I didn't hear one Uruguayan supporter boo the French national anthem. I was looking forward to seeing the French team removed from the pitch and lose 3-0.[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 [:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 Wish they had have booed it now. It was an awful match. [:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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