Is it?
I’m thinking “The Star Spangled Banner” or “Le Marseillaise” or “God Save the Queen”.
Even “Oh Canada” says “O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.”
Absolutely. The three Baltic states have non-militaristic anthems.
Dievs, svētī Latviju! - Wikipedia!
Tautiška giesmė - Wikipedia
Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm - Wikipedia
Ditto Finland - Maamme - Wikipedia - and Sweden Du gamla, du fria - Wikipedia.
Likewise, the present day Germany, of all places:
And these are only the examples from my geographical “neighborhood”. It would actually be interesting to compile such statistics from all around the globe. For all I know, overtly militaristic anthems might actually be the statistical minority.
Botswana’s national anthem is anything but militaristic.
A lot of newer nations (Botswana gained independence in 1966) have less militaristic ones than nations founded further back, when military might was generally seen as something to be more proud of.
“Hatikvah”, the Israeli national anthem, isn’t militaristic. (Lyrics with English translation)
Yes, the South African national anthem.
Version with lyrics - in Xhosa / Zulu / Sesotho / Afrikaans / English, with English translation:
Not really a debate per se.
Moved from Great Debates to GQ.
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Of these examples, none is explicitly descriptive of offensive military action; at worst, God Save The Queen is sort of ambiguous, just hoping the state’s enemies encounter difficulties in their endeavors. The rest encourage, provide pledges of, or tell tales about defensive military action, any of which seem noble enough.
Are there any national anthems out there that explicitly glorify military conquest?
Deutschland Uber Alles has lyrics that go:
*Germany, Germany above all,
Above all else in the world,
When it steadfastly holds together,
Offensively and defensively,
With brotherhood (*pause for irony).
I don’t think that passage gets sung much any more.
I always thought Oh Canada should have said, “We stand in goal for thee”. Then it’s not militaristic. The original words were more religious than military, but have been changed since.
I disagree, hockey is very violent.
Originally, it was written for the democrats of the 1848 revolution against the autocratic mini-monarchies of the day. Nowadays, you’re right, it was so perverted by the militaristic use of it that the official words are the second verse about justice and freedom.
And these aren’t particularly militaristic either:
and the Spanish national anthem has no official lyrics at all.
Bear in mind that the music and lyrics were written long before Hitler’s dad was a gleam in his Grandpa’s eye! It’s unfair to associate a pretty Haydn melody and a harmless patriotic poem with Auschwitz!
The Welsh national anthem mentions that brave patriots have bled for the country, but it’s just part of a list of things people do for the country, and it put more emphasis on the poetry, song, and language of the country.
Next to Hatikvah, it’s the most touching anthem I’ve ever heard, and I’m not Welsh at all.
The Horst Wessel Lied, on the other hand…
Not only is it possible to have a non-militaristic patriotic song, but it’s even possible to have a patriotic song that isn’t even nationalistic.
Moved to Cafe Society.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
I’m not sure what spirit of brotherhood animated the First Schleswig War, the Second Schleswig War, the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, World War I…
Even Japan’s national anthem, one of the oldest, isn’t miltaristic. I think the English translation wishes for a peaceful reigh for the Emperor, that it last for a thousand generations, as a boulder becomes covered with moss.
Yes, but the goalie is purely a defensive player.
Australian national anthem:
*
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Tedious and turgid? - yep. Somewhat hypocritical? - sure thing. Militaristic? - no. Even the originalVictorian Era version of the song, while pretty cringeworthy in many aspects, only goes so far as to point out with approval how tough Great Britain is, not us