“God Bless the USA” would be a terrible choice. An anthem needs to first of all be patriotic. A song that starts right off in the first lines by stating that the country’s not worth fighting for is Right Out.
“God Save The Queen/King” is short, meaningful, and full of win. I’m not British, so I have no iron in this fire, but from where I sit, GSTQ/K is like plastic straws: for all its flaws, it’s been around forever and it’s always worked.
Here in 'Murica, “The Star Spangled Banner” has got to go. It’s hard to sing, it’s militaristic, and it just doesn’t work. “Battle Hymn Of The Republic” has the word “battle” right there in its title, so it’s out for being too militaristic as well.
“America the Beautiful” is my suggestion, although the “God shed His grace on thee” bit is problematic for obvious reasons.
Tongue-in-cheek suggestion: “America, Fuck Yeah!” Truthfully, I’m kind of surprised Trump and his supporters haven’t already tried to make it the new national anthem, complete with the requirement that you stand for it on pain of execution.
I’m one of those folks who, when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, leaves off the words “under God” (even though I myself am religious). But I still can’t get too worked up over “God shed his grace on thee”. I think it’s because the meaning doesn’t really change significantly if you interpret the grace-shedding god as Yahweh, Manitou, Brahma, Buddha, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster… but the meaning of “under God” does change significantly depending on which god you interpret us as being under.
It has, though, the disadvantage of using a tune that has been passed around a lot. It serves simultaneously as the tune to the national anthem of Liechtenstein (“Oben am jungen Rhein”) and was, at different points in history, also the tune to the national anthems of Russia, Switzerland, Greece, Iceland, and Germany.
And patriotic songs that aren’t the anthem in yet more countries, including the US (“America”, better known by its first line “My Country 'tis of Thee”).
This clearly would be the choice if, for whatever reasons, the Star-Spangled Banner were replaced as US National Anthem (which ain’t ever going to happen.) For me, it’s a much more beautiful melody, is more singable by the average person, and just sounds more solemn and hymn-like to me. But, then again, there is something about the history (both words and music) and melodic theatrics of The Star Spangled Banner that is somehow “American” to me, and a reasonable representation of the “national character,” so much as there is one, so I guess it works for me in that sense.
“The Battle Hymn of the Republic” is the only American patriotic song that can compete with the similarly militaristic “La Marseillaise” for rousing kick-assedness. However, it was a Northern song written during the Civil War and so won’t fly in the South.
I’d imagine too many would consider “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” to be too religious as well. But it is a great tune.
This land is my land,
It isn’t your land.
I have a shotgun,
You haven’t got one.
I’ll blow your head off,
If you don’t get off.
This land is mine and mine alone.
Our versions was:
This land is my land
And it’s not your land
I’ve got a shotgun
And you don’t got one
You better get off
Or I’ll blow your head off
This land is made for only me
The suppressed Guthrie final verse goes:
As I was walking
Out through the forest,
I saw a sign there
Said, “Private Property”,
But on the other side
It didn’t say nothing.
This land was made for you and me.
What are possible themes of state or national anthems? We’ve a beautiful place. We’re kick-ass warriors. We’re business-friendly. Gawd loves us. The men are men and the sheep are afraid. Don’t mind the weather. We’re okay. The leader is all-wise. Come, spend tourist money. We’re better than we look and sound. Try our food.
Set appropriate lyrics to some 4/4 marching tune with prominent horns, drums, and bass. Blast away.
In Quebec - a French version has been adapted as a Christmas song. Here’s Celine Dion along with the lyrics - shepherds, manger, star, and all.
