Over the years I’ve heard not a few criticisms of the USA’s national anthem. And I know some nations have anthems that are pretty cool. Is there any good contenders out there for a replacement for the USA anthem? Certainly someone must have written something good by now.
Since this is about songs, let’s move it to Cafe Society.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
I really like The Star-Spangled Banner. “Anerica” is nonsensical, I mean come on “thine alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears>”? Give me a break. “God Bless America” is good but much too short.
I like the tough words and sentiments in the current anthem. I may be one of the few people who know all four verses withought looking them up.
Why does an anthem need to be long? God Bless America is a nice melody and plenty long enough. While Kate Smith’s version is the gold standard, the only person who should be singing it nowadays is Ronan Tynan. If he’s not around, just play the music.
Whoever wrote that has obviously never spent any time in Detroit. It’s at least as bad as “O beautiful for Pilgrim feet/whose stern impassioned stress/a thoroughfare for freedom beat/across the wilderness.” What a load of crap! :smack:
Whenever I hear the other song, it sounds like “God bless Sam Erica,” and I start to giggle.
This has been discussed before – it actually took a while for The Star Spangled Banner as we know it to be officially recognized as the National Anthem. It was only officialized as such by Federal Law in 1931, having been adopted for civil use by Executive Order in 1916. So it’s not like they did not have time to think it over. That they settled on this does not annoy me excessively.
I’ve always wanted to start a thread on this. America the Beautiful is the stupidest song ever. I’m fine with the traditionally martial, sentimental, bombastic form of the tune. I call into question the structure of the lyrics as deployed in the melody. There is a rising, uplifting, most important phrasing to make the point of the beauty of the country, but right as it reaches it’s crescendo… well, just sing it with me children:
From the mountains,
to the valleys,
to the ocean,
white with
FOAM.
Seriously, the most important aspect of America is foam? Reaching for a rhyme is one thing. Mangling your verse to totally fuck up the song is quite something else.
Born in the USA
Its lyrics are hardly anthem material but all real Americans will heartily join the refrain anytime it’s played.
If we had to change the anthem, I would be grateful for one (like the current one, as far as I know) that doesn’t mention deities and how blessed this land is because those deities made it so. In other words, completely secular.
Perhaps we could adapt the song “San Francisco” which is one of two anthems this city has, and make it relevant to immigration and the statue of liberty. It’s a nice up-tempo piece, and not too long.
San Francisco, open your golden gate
You let no stranger wait outside your door
San Francisco, here is your wanderin’ one
Saying I’ll wander no more
Other places only make me love you best
Tell me you’re the heart of all the golden west
San Francisco, welcome me home again
I’m coming home to go roaming no more
As I have nothing but time, perhaps I will turn my hand to some new lyrics suitable for the whole nation to sing. I’m sure they would love to follow in San Francisco’s footsteps.
OK, I’m convinced. “America the Beautiful” is out. I didn’t realize how utterly daft the lyrics are.
Btw, “America” is a different song, which shares the tune of “God Save the Queen.”
Yes: “My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of Liberty.” Yeccch! I’ve hated that song ever since I was first forced to sing it in grade school!
FWIW, this was the unofficial US national anthem starting from Federalist days:
“Hail Colombia!”
In the '80s miniseries ***The First Olympics***, they confused this song with "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean." **WRONG!** :smack:(I wonder how many people worldwide would confuse “Columbia” with “Colombia” and not even realize they’re both US anthems.)
The Star Spangled Banner is too British, but at least it’s a drinking song.
On the other hand, I am not a fan of choices by committee. Advance Australia Fair? Bleech. There was already a perfectly good and representative song that was too unseemly.
America, Fuck Yeah is objectively an amazing song. I am only joking somewhat.
I grew up right next to SF, on the sunny border, and have never heard this song in my life. Why should it be important? From a random 1936 movie? For such a tiny city?
How about “This Land is Your Land”? It’s usually brought up in these threads, and I’ve always thought it was a good choice. You guys decide whether to keep the anti-capitalism verses.
Barring that, I recommend the theme from Hawaii 5-0. I know it doesn’t have lyrics. I don’t care.
Ok, I can get behind that.
You might trythis version.
Radio Birdman - that’ll put hair on your back.
More traditionally, I kinda like the Battle Hymn of the Republic. I do hope US Marines let it rip once and a while when facing religions fanatics. Heh. My school went and altered the lines:
“As he died to make men holy, let us LIVE to make men free”
Pfft. Like I’m gonna sing THATt lyric, while the band has pumped my blood up.
It’s “Hail, Columbia” (usually with a comma, and different spelling, and no exclamation point) and as it happens, it’s still the official march of the Vice President (as “Hail to the Chief” is for the President).
It might be more appropriate for 4th of July BBQs but God Bless the USA is my go-to when feeling patriotic