# Speaking of National Anthems **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 29, 2016, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411 "2016-11-29T21:32:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stinky\_Pete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Stinky\_Pete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stinky_Pete)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/1 "2016-11-29T21:32:29Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/2 "2016-11-29T21:46:46Z")
Since this is about songs, let’s move it to Cafe Society. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/3 "2016-11-29T23:15:18Z")
[America the Beautiful.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0bs9ZvM8gQ) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/4 "2016-11-29T23:15:20Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/5 "2016-11-29T23:52:10Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > “God Bless America” is good but much too short. 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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEThRlUcby4). If he’s not around, just play the music. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/6 "2016-11-30T00:07:04Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > “America” 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. 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. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/7 "2016-11-30T01:56:47Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/8 "2016-11-30T02:28:17Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > [America the Beautiful.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0bs9ZvM8gQ) 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. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/9 "2016-11-30T02:33:15Z")
Born in the USA Its lyrics are hardly anthem material but all real Americans will heartily join the refrain anytime it’s played. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/10 "2016-11-30T04:42:03Z")
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. ---
**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:** [November 30, 2016, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/11 "2016-11-30T05:46:21Z")
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.” ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/12 "2016-11-30T06:38:20Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > 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! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/13 "2016-11-30T06:46:06Z")
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.) ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/14 "2016-11-30T07:23:14Z")
The Star Spangled Banner is too British, but at least it’s [a drinking song](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Anacreon_in_Heaven). 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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhnUgAaea4M) is objectively an amazing song. I am only joking somewhat. > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > 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. 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? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/15 "2016-11-30T08:13:29Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/16 "2016-11-30T09:42:55Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/17 "2016-11-30T11:07:17Z")
You might try[this version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmH0OeDLGEE). Radio Birdman - that’ll put hair on your back. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/18 "2016-11-30T12:26:32Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Born in the USA > > Its lyrics are hardly anthem material but all real Americans will heartily join the refrain anytime it’s played. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/19 "2016-11-30T15:12:29Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > FWIW, this was the unofficial US national anthem starting from Federalist days: > > “Hail Colombia!” > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPlQS1pzHdA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPlQS1pzHdA)… 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). > **[Hail, Columbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail,_Columbia)** > > "Hail, Columbia" is an American patriotic song and ceremonial entrance march of the vice president of the United States. It was originally considered to be one of the unofficial national anthems of the United States until 1931, when "The Star-Spangled Banner" was named as the official national anthem. Columbia is the name for the national personification of the United States which originated during the 18th century. > The music was composed by Philip Phile in 1789 for the first inauguration of ... ---
**Author:** ![greenmario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/97f17d/32.png) [@greenmario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenmario)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411/20 "2016-11-30T15:57:18Z")
It might be more appropriate for 4th of July BBQs but God Bless the USA is my go-to when feeling patriotic [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-national-anthems/773411.md?page=2)