90% of times I encounter the word 'dirge'

[meteordust]

Probably not a pressing issue, but definitely a perennial one.

An 'embarrassing dirge': Australian musicians on why we need a new anthem

Interesting to see the perspective of musicians, including First Nations musicians, on what a national anthem should and could be.

One of the most striking quotes: "Nobody in the history of our country has ever spontaneously erupted into Advance Australia Fair."

... Yeah.

Comments

[ambyr]

I have now fallen down a Google hole of best/worst national anthem lists. I cannot say ours is any better than yours, and yet I've never seen that much thought put into it.

[meteordust]

Oh, interesting! Any standouts of best/worst national anthems?

[ambyr]

Everyone seems to agree that Uruquay has quite a stirring tune, although having looked up the words they'er a bit, uh.

"Easterners, look at the flag,
Glittering crucible of heroism;
Our spears defend their brilliance,
No one insults the image of the sun!
The enjoyment of civil rights let us sustain;
And the faithful code let us venerate
Immune and glorious like
The Holy Ark of Israel."

...look, what I'm saying is, I think there's a reason no one sings all eleven verses these days.

Poland's is also very stirring, although it starts from the point of view that Poland is in a desperate last stand fighting every power in Europe, which seems like a hell of a national mood to encourage into eternity.

Actually, if anyone has a national anthem that doesn't have dubious lyrics at one level or another, I haven't found it yet. But as long as I don't look up lyrical translations many of them are very nice!

[meteordust]

"No one insults the image of the sun!" is a memorable line. But eleven verses!!!

[thawrecka]

It's not a great anthem, but I don't like the idea that we should want to spontaneously erupt into our national anthem. That's a level of nationalism I'm not comfortable with.

[meteordust]

Hmm, good point, I hadn't really thought about the nationalism aspect of it. I guess I like the idea of a song that connects people across a community. But the reality is not always that simple or innocuous.

[st_aurafina]

"Nobody in the history of our country has ever spontaneously erupted into Advance Australia Fair."

Ugh, it's so true.

[meteordust]

My mind goes blank even trying to think of a likely example.