I’ve just been reading an internet article on the singing of National Anthems by teams before international sporting events. This, it seems, was the reason for the United States Women’s team leaving the FIFA World Cup early.
I have news for all Americans here. It doesn’t matter. If you ever watch an English team at the start of am international match you will note that many of them don’t sing the National Anthem. That’s because most of us don’t know the words. And, in the case of football players, because some of the words have more than two syllables. We don’t I admit, win many big international competitions but the failure is down to arrogance, lack of preparation, money, tactical shortcomings and a plethora of other things, which all came into play during the rest of the article discussing the American women. At least they won four World Cups before the press turned on them, our men have only won one and our women haven’t won one yet.
The National Anthem isn’t a big thing in the UK, it’s just a dirge of a tune, with a history going back to, possibly, the 16th Century. It has had many verses and, like most things in the country, it fails to reflect the modern world. We are only allowed to sing two verses now, as dismissive references to foreigners and Scots are, due to modern sensibilities, not allowed. And, most importantly, it isn’t official, it just became the National Anthem because people sang it at times when other countries sang national anthems.
The American National Anthem has an interesting history too and was officially adopted in 1931 after many attempts. The music is by an Englishman. Interestingly, the music to another contender (My Country ’tis of Thee) is said to have music which is “identical to the music of God Save the King”. They can’t quite bring themselves to say that it is identical because it is the same music.
There are translations of the American National Anthem into many languages, including a French version for Americans of French descent (one of whom is amongst my readers) whereas we don’t bother with that sort of stuff in the UK, as we expect the rest of the world to learn English.
And there you go, a post that was going to discuss the evils of football and football journalism, turned out to be a post about National Anthems.
Interesting thoughts, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading. 🙂
It’s true none of us know the words to God Save The King. I was hopeful that the change from Elizabeth to Charles would provide an opportunity to change it for something more appropriate. No such luck.
It’s a tricky subject. I quite like Jerusalem, but it is a bit Christian for modern sensibilities and a bit too tied up with the WI – the jam-making arm of the Tory party. I have no problems with Tories or Christians, but I just know it will lead to arguments . . . 🙂
I think just humming along to a bit of Vaughan Williams would be a good option. Emotive but at the same time understated 😅
I can still see a lot of discussion, in any choice. 🙂
You never know where a blog post will take you.
It was a very interesting meander through history, and all the better for including Acadians. 🙂
Though I must admit that when I got to the bit about Acadians rebelling in Louisiana against a Spanish Governor called O’ Reilly it all became rather confusing.
I like hearing anthems, no matter the country. BUT, it bothers me when the person singing it puts in their own arrangement. They are not songs, they are anthems, symbols of their country. Some of the warbling, screeching, screaming and ‘yodeling’ added makes my skin crawl. I feel it shows disrespect – something we need more of, not less.
Yes, the reaction to some performances of the anthem even make the news over here. Although we have different views on the way we treat our anthems I agree with you that they should be sung properly and respectfully, and in line with the wishes of the majority. I was interested to learn that the US dropped a verse in WW1 as it was felt to be anti-British. When the anthem is about the British attacking you, it’s difficult to have a pro-British slant. 🙂
I don’t like that the American team doesn’t sing the anthem. It’s not why they lost, but you know…karma….
I’ve always thought that it doesn’t pay to ignore the norms. If you want to annoy people by not singing the anthem you must expect a backlash. Just like when you invite a pop star to mess with the Superbowl anthem. Agains, not a problem we have . . . 🙂
👍👍👍
National anthems is a far preferable subject
🙂
(My Country ’tis of Thee) is said to have music which is “identical to the music of God Save the King”. I did not know that.
🙂 I am a mine of information. We should never have fallen out in 1776 you know.
🙂
“because some of the words have more than two syllables” . . . I think that you may underestimate the average intelligence of a professional footballer these days.
I don’t understand the singing of the national anthem before sporting events. It’s not done before any other live performance such as concerts or theater. Strange.
It used to be played every time we left the cinema (if we weren’t quick enough to get out in time).
Yes, I nearly mentioned that in the post. It must have stopped in the early 70s as I recall it in the late 60s. BBC used to finish with it too, as I recall.
If it were just at Internationals I’d say it was because sport is just war without the deaths, but in the US it seems to be a fixation at some sporting events, particularly when they select someone who is clearly unsuitable for the job. 🙂