# God Bless America is not the fucking national anthem! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 7, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856 "2011-10-07T02:40:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/161 "2011-10-10T00:32:16Z")
How many other nations have anthems that are primarily a description of military combat? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/162 "2011-10-10T00:40:06Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > The key thing is to time your movements so that both at the time of the National Anthem and at the time of GBA, you are getting nachos and beer. Or walking into the restroom. There, no angst. I think that a fellow with his hand on his nipple and ‘standing at attention’ in a washroom might cause a bit of trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/163 "2011-10-10T00:43:24Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > How many other nations have anthems that are primarily a description of military combat? France. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/164 "2011-10-10T01:34:35Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > How many other nations have anthems that are primarily a description of military combat? You ask that like there is something wrong with it. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/165 "2011-10-10T01:38:04Z")
I’ve always admired the Star Spangled Banner for both beginning and ending (the first stanza, anyway) with a question. I see that as wonderfully “American.” Trinopus ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/166 "2011-10-10T13:16:21Z")
Count me as another American who puts her hands over her ears for “Proud To Be An American”. If the sound leaks through, I might have to put my hands over my mouth, instead. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/167 "2011-10-10T13:43:01Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > France. And Ireland - Amhrán na bhFiann means “The Soldier’s Song”. Translated lyrics [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amhr%C3%A1n_na_bhFiann#Lyrics). And the UK’s, verse 2: O lord God arise, Scatter our enemies, And make them fall! Confound their knavish tricks, Confuse their politics, On you our hopes we fix, God save the Queen! (‘Knavish’ was originally ‘Popish’ until George V asked for it to be removed.) Plus a verse unofficially added in 1745: 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. …which is no longer used. Why shouldn’t some of the citizens of the national anthem submit to being ‘crushed’ by their own anthem? It’s PC gone mad I tell you! By comparison the Star Spangled Banner is positively amicable. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/168 "2011-10-10T14:14:23Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Count me as another American who puts her hands over her ears for “Proud To Be An American”. If the sound leaks through, I might have to put my hands over my mouth, instead. I have heard that song 200 too many times. It was nice the first couple, but then it was used for every possible patriotic moment. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/169 "2011-10-10T15:16:29Z")
Reminds me of when Reagan copped Springsteens _Born in the USA_. The man had a genius for post-modernist irony. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/170 "2011-10-10T16:34:20Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > Next thing you know people will be demanding we put our hands over our hearts for “Proud To Be An American”. :rolleyes: That song is titled “God Bless the U.S.A.” I actually like it better than “God Bless America.” My favorite America song is “America the Beautiful.” > [@elucidator](#): > > Reminds me of when Reagan copped Springsteens _Born in the USA_. The man had a genius for post-modernist irony. Conservative politicians also sometimes use John Mellencamp’s “Pink Houses,” with it’s hook of “Ain’t that America for you and me.” They miss the point of that song too. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/171 "2011-10-10T17:54:44Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > How many other nations have anthems that are primarily a description of military combat? Anthems dealing with military combat: Albania > [@](#): > > With weapons in our hands a-brandished, > We will defend our fatherland, > Our sacred rights we’ll not relinquish, > The foe has no place in our land. Algeria > [@](#): > > We are soldiers in the name of righteousness have revolted > And for our independence to war have risen. > Had we not spoken up none would have listened > So we have taken the drum of gunpowder as our rhythm > And the sound of machine guns as our melody Angola > [@](#): > > We shall march, Angolan fighters, > In solidarity with oppressed peoples. > We shall fight proudly for Peace > Along with the progressive forces of the world. Argentina > [@](#): > > The valiant Argentine to arms > runs burning with determination and bravery, > the war bugle, as thunder, > in the fields of the South resounds. Armenia > [@](#): > > Death is the same everywhere, > A man dies but once, > Blessed is the one that dies > For the freedom of his nation. Azerbaijan > [@](#): > > Sacrifices too many done, > Every soldier to front has gone! > When your chest was field of battle! > Come back as a heroic son! > Let me see you flourish, > Let your enemies perish! Belarus > [@](#): > > Together with our brothers, we for centuries > Courageously defended our home’s threshold. > In battles for freedom, and battles for our lot > We have won our banners of victory! Belgium > [@](#): > > Remain under arms, so that naught shall change! > Let us keep to the same will, > And we shall see Orange bloom anew > Upon the tree of Liberty. Belize > [@](#): > > Arise! ye sons of the Baymen’s clan, > Put on your armour, clear the land! > Drive back the tyrants, let despots flee - > Land of the Free by the Carib Sea! Bolivia > [@](#): > > If a foreigner may, any given day > even attempt to subjugate Bolivia, > let him prepare for a fatal destiny, > which menaces such brave aggressor. > For the sons of the mighty Bolívar > have sworn, thousands upon thousands of times: > to die rather than see the country’s > majestic banner humiliated. Burkina Faso > [@](#): > > Against the humiliating bondage of a thousand years > Rapacity came from afar to subjugate them for a hundred years. > Against the cynical malice in the shape > Of neo-colonialism and its petty local servants. > Many gave in and certain others resisted. > But the frustrations, the successes, the sweat, the blood > Have fortified our courageous people and fertilized its heroic struggle. Canada (French Version) > [@](#): > > Thy brow is wreathed with a glorious garland of flowers. > As is thy arm ready to wield the sword, > So also is it ready to carry the cross. Chile > [@](#): > > If you intend to foreign cannon > our people, daring, invade; > steel naked to the point > and know victory or death. China > [@](#): > > Arise! All those who don’t want to be slaves! > Let our flesh and blood forge our new Great Wall! > As the Chinese people have arrived at their most dangerous time. > Every person is forced to expel his very last cry. > Arise! Arise! Arise! > Our million hearts beating as one, > Brave the enemy’s fire, March on! Colombia > [@](#): > > The Orinoco’s bed > Is heaped with plunder, > The river runs > With blood and weeping. Republic of the Congo > [@](#): > > Let us all fight, every one of us, > For our black country. > And if we have to die, > What does it really matter? Our children > Everywhere will be able to say how > Triumph comes through battle, Costa Rica > [@](#): > > When anyone should attempt to besmirch your glory, > You will see your people, valiant and virile, > The rustic tool into a weapon transform. Cuba > [@](#): > > Hasten to battle, men of Bayamo! > The motherland looks proudly to you; > Do not fear a glorious death, > Because to die for the fatherland is to live. Dominican Republic > [@](#): > > Hail, the people who strong and intrepid, > Into war launched itself unto death! > When in warfare challenge of death, > Her slavery chains she broke. East Timor > [@](#): > > Let us go forward, united, firm and determined > In the struggle against imperialism, > The enemy of people, until final victory, > Onward to revolution. Egypt > [@](#): > > My purpose is to repel the enemy > And on God I rely El Salvador > [@](#): > > ``` > All are self-denying and faithful > > ``` > > To the tradition of warlike ardour > With which they have always reaped fame > By saving the Motherland’s honour. Guatamala > [@](#): > > If tomorrow your sacred soil > By foreign invasion is threatened > Free into the wind, your beautiful flag > To victory or death it shall call I’ve only gotten through the G’s. I could go on, but it looks like battle and martial imagery plays a pretty big part in national anthems. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/172 "2011-10-10T19:31:34Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Count me as another American who puts her hands over her ears for “Proud To Be An American”. If the sound leaks through, I might have to put my hands over my mouth, instead. You mean “God Bless the USA”, I think. Gah! I didn’t really care about that song one way or another until right around 9-11 when I was working at Kmart. We started selling these teddy bears that were dressed like fireman, soldiers, policemen, etc. Pretty cute, you know? Only when you pressed a little button on them, they played the chorus from that song. And they displayed them at the checkouts. Where people (kids, especially) thought it was hillarious to turn ALL of them on at the same time. So you had a choir of bears singing it all out of sync. You’d have to go around and turn off each bear individually. It was enough to make you insane. And then the batteries started wearing down, which made it even worse. Now when I hear that song, all I can think of is those damned bears! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/173 "2011-10-10T19:48:31Z")
The weirdest thing about that Lee Greenwood song is how pathetic the lyrics are: > [@](#): > > I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free! That’s the sort of phrasing you use when ya got nuthin’. “Well, I’m stupid and lame and criminal, but at least I brush my teeth!” ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/174 "2011-10-10T19:54:32Z")
Based on **Captain Amazing** ’s anthem excerpts, I’d have to vote Burkina Faso as having the worst national anthem of all time. Though Congo’s is something less than inspirational as well. _And if we have to die, What does it really matter?_ ☹ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/175 "2011-10-10T20:15:38Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > The weirdest thing about that Lee Greenwood song is how pathetic the lyrics are … . I hate it because Greenwood thinks a country where you can work hard your whole life and wind up with nothing is something to be proud of. A country like that isn’t America. Not my America, anyway. \*“In the squares of the city, in the shadow of the steeple; By the relief office, I’d seen my people. As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking, Is this land still made for you and me?” \* ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/176 "2011-10-10T21:52:04Z")
“Not against the law to be poor in America, but it might as well be.” - Will Rogers ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/177 "2011-10-10T23:03:44Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Though Congo’s is something less than inspirational as well. > > _And if we have to die, > What does it really matter?_ > > ☹ It would probably make more sense if you were from the Congo. > [@The Hamster King](#): > > I hate it because Greenwood thinks a country where you can work hard your whole life and wind up with nothing is something to be proud of. I don’t think he’s saying that. He’s saying that, even beyond America’s material prosperity, America’s a free country, and that’s what he’s proud of. And now, on to the H’s. Haiti > [@](#): > > For the flag, > For our country > To die is a fine thing! > Our past cries out to us: > Have a strong soul! > To die is a fine thing, > For the flag, > For our country. Honduras > [@](#): > > To guard this divine emblem > We shall march, oh fatherland, to the death; > Our luck will be generous > If we die thinking of your love. > Defending your holy flag, > And shrouded in its glorious folds, > There will be many, Honduras, your dead, > But all shall fall with honor. Hungary > [@](#): > > Ah, but for our sins > Anger gathered in Your bosom > And You struck with Your lightning > From Your thundering clouds > Now the plundering Mongols’ arrows > You swarmed over us > Then the Turks’ slave yoke > We took upon our shoulders. (Hungary’s actually goes on for three verses, but it’s pretty much "Man, the Mongols and Turks kicked our asses!) Indonesia > [@](#): > > Indonesia, my homeland > The land where I shed my blood > Right there, I stand > To be a scout of my motherland Iran > [@](#): > > Your message, O Imam, independence, and freedom, the purpose of our lives, is imprinted on our souls > O Martyrs! Your cries echo in the ears of time: > Be enduring, continuing, and eternal, > Islamic Republic of Iran Iraq > [@](#): > > The sword and the pen > Not the talk nor the quarrel > Are our symbols, Italy > [@](#): > > Let us join in a cohort, > We are ready to die.. . . > > Mercenary swords, > they’re feeble reeds. > The Austrian eagle > Has already lost its plumes. > The blood of Italy > and the Polish blood > It drank, along with the Cossack, > But it burned its heart. Jordan > [@](#): > > All the youthful men, > Are your armed armies > His determination never dies out! Laos > [@](#): > > The Lao people of all origins are equal > And will no longer allow imperialists > And traitors to harm them. > The entire people will safeguard the independence > And the freedom of the Lao nation. > They are resolved to struggle for victory > In order to lead the nation to prosperity. Liberia > [@](#): > > We will o’er all prevail! > With heart and hand our country’s cause defending, > We’ll meet the foe with valour unpretending. Mexico > [@](#): > > War, war without quarter to any who dare > to tarnish the coats of arms of the country! > War, war! Let the national banners > be soaked in waves of blood. > War, war! In the mountain, in the valley, > let the cannons thunder in horrid unison > and may the sonorous echoes resound > with cries of Union! Liberty! Namibia > [@](#): > > Freedom fight we have won > Glory to their bravery > Whose blood waters our freedom Paraguay > [@](#): > > The peoples of the Americas, unfortunately, > Were oppressed for three centuries by a scepter > But one magnificent day surging forth, > “Enough!”, it said, and broke the scepter. > Our fathers, grandiose in battle, > Showed their martial glory; > And after smashing the august diadem, > Raised the triumphal cap. Peru > [@](#): > > Countrymen, may we see it a slave no more. > If for three centuries it moaned, humiliated, > forever may we swear it’d be free, > maintaining its own splendor. > Our arms, until today unarmed, > be they always readying the cannon, > that some day the beaches of Iberia > will feel the horror of its roar. Poland > [@](#): > > March, march, Dąbrowski > From Italy to Poland > Under thy command > Let us now rejoin the nation Portugal > [@](#): > > To arms, to arms! > On land, on sea, > To arms, to arms! > To fight for our Fatherland! > Against the cannons, march, march! Romania > [@](#): > > Priests, lead with your crucifixes, for our army is Christian, > The motto is Liberty and its goal is holy, > Better to die in battle, in full glory, > Than to once again be slaves upon our ancient ground! And that brings us through R. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/178 "2011-10-11T00:14:00Z")
National Anthems are seriously fucked up. That is all. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/179 "2011-10-11T00:23:20Z")
“La Marseillaise” is pretty bloody: \*Arise, children of the Fatherland, The day of glory has arrived! Against us of tyranny The bloody banner is raised, (repeat) Do you hear, in the countryside, The roar of those ferocious soldiers? They’re coming right into our arms To cut the throats of our sons and women! To arms, citizens, Form your battalions, Let’s march, let’s march! That an impure blood Waters our furrows! \* Yeah, I think “rockets red glare” and “bombs bursting in air” is pretty tame by comparison! ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856/180 "2011-10-11T00:45:44Z")
The Russian national anthem bears an eerie resemblance to “God Bless America”. _From the southern seas to the polar lands Spread are our forests and fields. You are unique in the world, one of a kind_ – Native land protected by God!\* The [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Anthem_of_Russia) page describes Vlad Putin getting pissed off at the Russian football team for chewing gum during the playing of the anthem. 🙂 \*Russian exceptionalism? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-america-is-not-the-fucking-national-anthem/598856.md?page=10)