# Replace your national anthem. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 15, 2011, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292 "2011-12-15T11:42:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/21 "2011-12-16T00:10:17Z")
> [@well\_he\_s\_back](#): > > I think “America the Beautiful” is already the unofficial U.S. anthem. most everyone I know prefers it to the SSB. And a whole lot of people think it already is the anthem. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/22 "2011-12-16T00:14:07Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > That song’s the biggest pile of dung ever written, whether or not it has the word “God” in it. Your opinion does not make it so. I like the song. I like it a lot. I know lots of people who also like it. I think it would make a great National Anthem. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/23 "2011-12-16T00:21:24Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Your opinion does not make it so. Yeah, funny how that works. ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/24 "2011-12-16T00:31:10Z")
“The Maine Stein Song” has a perfect melody for a national anthem if you slow it down a bit. Of course the lyrics won’t work, but you could hold a contest to come up with new ones. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/25 "2011-12-16T02:24:42Z")
For the US definately “Battle Hymn of the Republic” For Britain “Land of Hope and Glory” or “Rule Brittania” For Germany all three stanzas of the “Deutschlandlied” or “Die Wacht am Rhein” ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/26 "2011-12-16T02:32:19Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > For the US definately “Battle Hymn of the Republic” > > For Britain “Land of Hope and Glory” or “Rule Brittania” > > For Germany all three stanzas of the “Deutschlandlied” or “Die Wacht am Rhein” You really worry me sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/27 "2011-12-16T04:56:21Z")
For America, most definately “America, Fuck Yeah”, or if that’s not an option, Prince’s “Pussy Control”. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/28 "2011-12-16T05:16:55Z")
Any song? Ok. [This Is My Song](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_My_Song_(1934_song)). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/29 "2011-12-16T05:29:22Z")
The SSB is difficult to sing, few people know the first verse, not to mention those following and the subject matter is somewhat narrow in scope. In favor, the difficulty in singing actually favors large groups, and it is very stirring. I’d keep it. But if I couldn’t, America The Beautiful is lovely. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/30 "2011-12-16T08:21:49Z")
Well, it should be something like “America the Beautiful” I guess. No reason we should be stuck with “The Star-Spangled Banner” to the tune of “To Anacreon in Heaven” just because better songs weren’t written yet when that call was made. We have a few well-established patriotic songs: “America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)” - doesn’t work instrumentally, since it’s just “God Save the King.” “Stars and Stripes Forever” - the best lyrics I’ve heard are the one about the duck “Yankee Doodle” - at least has the prestige of age “Yankee Doodle Dandy” - bleh. bit too Broadway. well, at least it’s bouncy. “America the Beautiful” - nice “God Bless America” - a bit marchy “This Land Is Your Land” - pretty good Been following links and found this: [Help Save the Youth of America](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpdU98DWPkw) That’s quite good. ETA: On listening to it, I’m down with nominating “Rock Lobster.” ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/31 "2011-12-16T11:32:36Z")
_Rock Lobster_ would certainly confuse the North Korean Intelligence services. ---
**Author:** ![JoseArcadio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc348/32.png) [@JoseArcadio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseArcadio)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/32 "2011-12-16T13:36:21Z")
For Scotland- [Restless Natives](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN6eZOS5wQ0) by Big Country or [Dignity](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3ueYxrA-Zs)by Deacon Blue. Classics! ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/33 "2011-12-16T14:16:47Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > For the US definately “Battle Hymn of the Republic” > > For Britain “Land of Hope and Glory” or “Rule Brittania” > > For Germany all three stanzas of the “Deutschlandlied” or “Die Wacht am Rhein” > [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > You really worry me sometimes. I’ve read that post, especially the part for Germany, and instantly thought: “WTF?”, but then I saw it was \*\*Qin \*\*and was no longer surprised. It’s not the first time I noticed his unhealthy fascination with German nationalistic symbols and attitudes. ---
**Author:** ![Hogfather65](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7bcc69/32.png) [@Hogfather65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hogfather65)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/34 "2011-12-16T14:48:20Z")
> [@JoseArcadio](#): > > For Scotland- > > [Restless Natives](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN6eZOS5wQ0) by Big Country or [Dignity](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3ueYxrA-Zs)by Deacon Blue. Classics! Bull - Flower of Scotland is just fine - but we could go with ‘You Fat Bastard’ BY Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown… ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/35 "2011-12-16T15:12:54Z")
This: [- YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-_g8NZr1tA) as I wan’t a song that would: 1. Make you proud to be an American, mostly because we kick so much ass. 2. Give proper tribute to the Dovahkiin for keeping us save from the dragons. I mean, really, who is this god person, and what has he ever done for us? On the other hand Fus Ro Dah! Is a scientifically observed phenomena: [Skyrim - Best Fus Roh Dah Compilation - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9WFrgy154g) On a slightly more serious note, why do national anthems suck so much? Why can’t we have kick butt drums and nordic tenors as directed by Jeremy Soul? ---
**Author:** ![JoseArcadio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc348/32.png) [@JoseArcadio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseArcadio)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/36 "2011-12-16T15:47:37Z")
> [@Hogfather65](#): > > Bull - Flower of Scotland is just fine - but we could go with ‘You Fat Bastard’ BY Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown… I’m perfectly happy with Flower of Scotland; I was responding to the hypothetical in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/37 "2011-12-16T16:15:15Z")
I agree that the British one is awful. I think it should be replaced by _We Are The Champion_s by Queen. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/38 "2011-12-16T17:05:52Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > _God Bless the USA_–too many people, particularly young liberals, fail to appreciate what we have in this country, and what it costs to keep it. As an added bonus, it might well cause the heads of certain militant atheists to explode, and that would amuse me greatly. I’m actually a fan of this one, too—and I’m a centrist, so that’s like _half_-liberal. Maybe I’m just sentimental. 😃 After that…how’s about [El Dorado](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cICzWhi796E)? A good, western theme, but drawing from Poe’s [Eldorado](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eldorado_%28poem%29). And the closest thing to religious imagery is the line “and the godliest mortal you ever will know / Is the one with the dream of El Dorado.” Hope, determination, high ideals, and adventure. From a native-born poet, and a native-born song style. And John Wayne. How much more American can you get? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/39 "2011-12-16T18:00:04Z")
_**[“I think the only fair way to come up with a new national anthem is to hold open auditions…”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7JBrN_R6es)**_ It’s Albert Brooks and a piano on the old Flip Wilson Show in '72 (wow, before he was Nemo’s dad, he had a 'fro!). It’s one of the most-listened-to tracks on my iPod, possibly because the Average Citizens come up with such great lyrics: _“Three thousand miles from coast to coast / Every citizen has reason to boast”_ **“You jail / All your blac-”** “Thank you!” \*“Ooooooo, ooooo, I like the USA, Ooo-ooo / It’s better than Russia, or China…” \* Last up on this clip: “Mr. Bob” Robert Harrison from Vegas: “_Got a countreeeeeee…_” ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292/40 "2011-12-16T20:01:06Z")
I want “America the Beautiful”, but I want the verse that ends in this chorus to be better known, even though it has the G-word in it: America, America! God mend thine every flaw! Confirm thy soul in self-control Thy liberty in law! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-your-national-anthem/606292.md?page=3)